Climate Change: Gov Fintiri Flags Off Tree Planting, Directs ACReSAL to Green State Capital.

By Barnabas Augustine
13/9/2023

Following his administration's determination to combat climate change devastation in the state, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has flagged off planting of trees on 1,500 hectres of selected forest across the state and directed Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (ACReSAL) to green the state capital with tree planting.
Performing the ceremony, Wednesday in Jabbi Lamba in Girei Local Government Area, Governor Fintriri said besides the embarkation of greening the state capital, 1,200 hectres will be introduced for irrigation schemes.

"I have immediately directed ACReSAL to embark on an ambitious drive to green our State capital. Set up Agroforestry demonstration farms in every local government area using a community-driven approach, introduce 1,200 hectres of irrigation schemes in selected areas", Governor Fintiri disclosed.

Governor Fintiri explained that flagging of planting of trees in the state is partly a direct response to his administration's pronouncement to ban cutting of tress for charcoal production throughout the state.
He described trees as the lungs of the planet, playing an integral role in maintaining a healthy environment, mitigating climate change and providing essential habitat for wildlife.

The Governor stressed that indiscriminate cutting down of trees exacerbate challenges posed by climate change which include erratic weather patterns, loss of biodiversity as well as adverse effect on agriculture and livelihood.

He disclosed that he has already directed all the local government areas Chairmen to embark on tree planting in their areas.
He urged all the citizenry to take ownership and embrace the tree-planting campaign with enthusiasm and dedication as their commitment to the wellbeing of the environment.

Earlier speaking, the Controller Federal Ministry of Environment, Haj. Safiya Mohammed Abubakar said that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the environment is safe from destruction by people. Saying that part of the commitment of the Federal Government is protecting environment with robust tree planting programme, a sole aim to ensure zero farmers herders clashes in the country.

She said the fight against climate change will in the long run protect the environment and provide job opportunity to the youth.
On his part, the Commissioner Ministry of Environment, Alh. Mohammed Sadiq said that due to change of land use pattern by people, it has affected the environment, resulting to climate change. Disclosing that the Ministry has directed its Divisional Forest Officers to be on watch on the ban on cutting down trees for charcoal production pronounced by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri early this year.
 

The Coordinator Adamawa State ACRESAL, Dr Ibrahim Chinda disclosed that ACReSAL is contributing in fight against climate change while lauding Governor Fintiri for including fight against environment in his Eight-Point agenda.
He said that in Adamawa State ACReSAL has three components of Agriculture, water resources and environment with the slogan "To green the environment and safe life".
 

He said ACReSAL Project which is a World Bank Assisted Project in partnership with Federal and Adamawa State Government, has development objective for Nigeria which is to increase the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.

Revealing that in Adamawa State, trees will be planted in 1,500 hectres of gazetted forest while it will distribute economic seedlings to households in the state all with the aim of fighting deforestation which is also resulting to wind storm as seen in the state in 2022 raining season
In his welcome address the Chairman Girei Local Government Area, Hon Yuda Amisa and in his goodwill message the District Head of Girei, Dr Ahmed Ibrahim Musdafa thanked  Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for flagging off tree planting campaign for the state in Girei and called on their people to involve themselves in tree planting programme of the government.