The Borno State Government has commenced the enforcement of ban on indiscriminate felling of trees and environment violations.
Violations to attract penalties according to the order include indiscriminate dumping of refuse and non-participation in the state mandatory environmental exercise.
Commissioner of Environment in the state, Engr Emet Kois, who disclosed this to journalists in Maiduguri said the action followed the signing of two Executive Orders by Governor Babagana Zulum, banning felling of trees and obligatory monthly environmental exercise.
Kois added that the enforcement also aimed to tackle the menace of deforestation and climate change which has become a source of concern to the environment amidst desert encroachment.
He stressed that as part of measures to curb the menace of deforestation, desert encroachment and climate change, Governor Zulum raised and planted 10 million seedlings last year with plans to plant 5 million seedlings this year.
The commissioner urged journalists to join hands with the state government to sensitise the public on the dangers of tree felling and the need to safeguard the environment.
Kois revealed that government would procure thousands cylinders and other source of energy to residents as alternative means of cooking to combat climate change against felling of trees for firewood and charcoal.
Also, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security in the state, Professor Usman Tar, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Aminu Chamalwa, said the executive order states stipulated a fines for any person who contravenes the provision by competent court of law.
He added that a fine of N250,000 would be imposed on the first offender or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 years, and that each subsequent offence attracts imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or fine not exceeding N500,000.
The Commissioner said the Borno State Police and other relevant agencies would be mandated to enforce the order to ensure compliance.
On the obligatory monthly sanitation exercise across the state, Chamalwa said all movement, except for essential workers are prohibited within the sanitation hours on environmental sanitation days.
