By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – As part of efforts aimed at check-mating deforestation in Kaduna state, North-west Nigeria, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has announced the commencement of tree planting exercise of 1.5 million trees in the state.
The Governor made this known in Kaduna while commemorating the 2016 World Environmental Day, organized by the State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
According to El-Rufai, the exercise would commence fully during the farming season across the twenty three local government areas of the state.
While expressing worry over the high rate of deforestation in the state, he urged the people to cultivate the habit of keeping their environment clean and also avoid cutting down of trees in order to protect and make the environment safe.
He also emphasized that government would continue to carry out its good environmental policies and programs that would set standards for the environment, while ensuring the desired objectives are achieved.
El-Rufai also announced that the state would collaborate with the Federal Government to dredge River Kaduna for better utilization.
Speaking earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Shehu Balarabe, noted that the commission has put in place various awareness programs to educate the people on the importance of keeping their environment clean.
Activities during the celebration in Kaduna include; symbolic tree planting and environmental cleaning exercises by the governor and other top government officials.
