Earth Day: Tree Planting Now Prerequisite For Issuance Of C of O In Kaduna, Northern Nigeria

By Joy Gadani:

For environmental protection, it is now mandatory for any one or corporate body applying for Certificate of Occupancy in Kaduna State, to among other demands, plant trees in the area, before the issuance of the document.

This is part of the bill on Illegal Felling of Trees and Forest Encroachment passed into law on Wednesday by the State House of Assembly.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Nuhu Goro Shadalafiya announced this on Thursday in Kaduna at a tree planting campaign and lecture organized by an NGO, “Bridge That Gap Initiative” to commemorate the 2019 Earth Day which has as its theme “Protect Our Species “.

He noted that the State Government had a lot of forests which have been encroached either by Farmers, individuals or Communities in the course of growth.

Shadalafiya warned that those who encroached illegally would have to face the law.

The Lawmaker however stated there are some people who because of natural disasters, were relocated to such areas.

On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Markus Yari observed that Kaduna is being overtaken by modernisation and that some of the areas which were forests under the Law about 30 years ago, are now modern centres.

He attributed extinction of some species to people’s nonchalant attitude and industrialisation.”This results in gas emissions and inhalation which end up harming our vital organs leading to various deadly diseases, “he said.

Yari who commended the organisers of the event, however stressed the need to extend awareness on environmental issues to rural areas instead of concentrating on urban centres.

“Taking care of the environment is everybody’s responsibility as the effect is also faced by all” he warned.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge That Gap Initiative, Gloria Bulus had expressed concern over the amount of harm caused to the environment by people’s day to day activities.

This, she pointed out, causes grave danger to the environment and biodiversity leading to extinction of some species of plants or animals.

The organiser, Bridge That Gap Initiative, focuses on among others, climate change, safety of the environment and sustainable lifestyle.