The Kogi State Commissioner for Environment, Abdulrahaman Wuya has said that those involved in illegal tree felling and soil excavation in the state would be made to face the full wrath of law.
Wuya who stated this yesterday while speaking with our reporter in his office said illegal tree felling and soil excavation were hazardous to the society and should be prevented.
According to him, on the 2ndof December 2013, Governor Idris Wada banned illegal tree felling as well as illegal soil excavation and indiscriminate bush burning, saying the ban has not been lifted.
He said the state government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment has planted over one million tree seedling as part of efforts to encourage afforestation in the state.
Wuya said the state was already partnering with some companies to see how to use bio-fuel so as to reduce the incessant cases of illegal trees feeling for charcoal. “We are trying this with the aim of arresting global warming,” he said.
The commissioner however called on the general public to report anyone caught indulging in illegal felling of trees and soil excavation so as to prosecute them to serve as deterrent to others.
Wuya further stated that erosion has been a menace in the state due to the topograpgy of the state as well as hosting the rivers Niger and Benue, adding that the state was partnering with the United Nation in addressing the erosion problem in the state.
