Traditional rulers lament deforestation in FCT

Traditional rulers in the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried continued deforestation in the area, warning it could lead to massive desertification in the entire north central region.

The Chairman, Council of chiefs and Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Baba Yinusa, represented by the Etsu of Kwali, Alhaji Audu Shaban, raised the alarm, yesterday, in Abuja in a message to stakeholders at a forum for the development of forestry in the territory.

Urging the National Assembly to come up with strict laws that would immediately halt the trend, Yinusa said: “Deforestation in the FCT is caused by charcoal merchants and wood exporters to Italy. They come here and fell trees recklessly and with impunity. If this trend continues, all efforts put in place by past administrations to fight desertification in this part of the country will remain a mirage.”
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In his address, the Secretary, FCTA ARDS, Alhaji Adamu Bappah, said the FCTA had embarked on measures to stop the practice. These included tree planting, establishment of young farmers’ clubs, as well as sensitisation of the public on the dangers of indiscriminate felling of trees.