The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) and Yobe State Government have distributed three million tree seedlings to fight desertification and climate change. Already, a dozen Local Government Areas have been encroached by desertification at the rate of 600 metres a year. The 12 councils include Damaturu, Fune, Geidam, Karasuwa, Yusufari, Yunusari, Bursari, Tarmuwa, Jakusko, Nguru, Bade and Machina, a border council with Niger Republic.
While announcing measures against desert encroachment on Thursday to mark Humanitarian Day at Jakusko, Governor Mai Mala Buni disclosed that; “Under the State’s plan of action, named: “Buni Cap 4 Yobe,” three million seedlings of assorted species of trees were raised for distribution across the state. Buni, who was represented by his Deputy, Idi Barde Gubana said the Ministry of Environment will allocate the seedlings to affected communities, schools, associations, emirates, as well as the 17 council areas. “To safeguard our fragile environment, is a task that requires the full cooperation and participation to fight desertification,” he declared, lamenting that a dozen councils have already been encroached by the desert in three decades. He also enjoined the tree planning committee to ensure the protection of the fragile environment in each of the 17 the Councils According to him, this was to scale up activities of the committee by liaising with traditional rulers to monitor and enforce Yobe State Forestry Law.
The United Nation Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, also lamented that the rate of desert encroachment is alarming to destroy the flora and fauna of Sahara Desert, including the various oasis and palm plantations. Kallon, who was represented by David Lubari Lominyo, noted that the climate crisis is a humanitarian protection concern to the most vulnerable people. He said that the humanitarian system has an important role in the fight against the climate emergency. “We cannot afford to accept the investable climate disaster, especially here in the state,” he said, warning that peoples’ lives should be protected against any form of environmental degradation and hazards.
The Yobe State Commissioner for Environment, Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa said the Ministry has implemented policies and programmes geared towards addressing and mitigating the impacts of ecological challenges on people’s livelihoods. He said that the mitigations comprise of people through large scale distribution of seedlings, massive afforestation, reforestation and provision of alternative cooking stoves. He added that community enlightenment is to be intensified to reduce indiscriminate tree felling and unwholesome environmental practices.
