Borno to Plant 1.2 million Tree For 2023 Planting Session, Targets 10 million Next Year

Borno to plant 1.2 million tree for 2023 planting season,

targets 10 million next year

By Madu Mohammed Maiduguri

The Borno state government is to plant 1.2 tree seedlings for the 2023 Tree planting, in efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change,desertification and erosion,.

Flaging-off the 2023 tree planting at the Borno State University Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri on Monday, Governor Babagana Zulum said a total of 1.2 million seedlings will be planted in this years raining season,

He said that 10 million seedlings is expected to be planted next year, where the 27 local government councils are expected to raised 5 million seedlings, while the state government and others stakeholders are to raised the remaining 5 million..

Governor Babagana Zulum said “climate change, desert encroachment, and erosion have been an issue of great concern to the world and Borno state in particular. Climate change is being cause by both natural and man made factors, hence, the need by the state government and other stakeholders to make concerted efforts to check the menace ”

Zulum said very soon he is going sign into law the recently amended Borno state penal code law, where stiffer penalty awaits anybody engage in tree failing.

” 80 percent of villages land have been destroyed by activities of Boko Haram insurgency, hence the need for collective efforts in planting more trees. I therefore, urge Non Governmental Organisations, Cooperate organisations, Clubs, Association to plant tree around your offices, houses estates to serve as wind breakers and fight desert encroachment, climate change and erosion”,the Governor added.

He directed the state ministry for Environment to procure and distribute low energy serving alternative and other devices to the peoples of the local government areas especially Guzamala, Malam Fatori, Marte and Ngala local government areas of the state..

Also speaking, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai elkanemi assured the Borno state government of the continued support of the traditional institution in the state.

In his welcome address, the Borno state commissioner for Environment, Engr Mohammed Kois said tree planting is an essential program in fighting climate change, desert encroachment, erosion and other environment challenges and called on all citizens to plant at least one tree to protect their environment, fight desert encroachment and climate change.

He appealed to local government areas, NGOs, cooperate organisations and individuals to come forward to collect seedlings for planting..