Kebbi Govt Cracks Down On Illegal Tree Cutting

Kebbi State Ministry of Environment has taken a firm stance against illegal tree cutting in government-owned forest reserves, following an investigation by a committee. The commissioner for Environment, Hon. Muhammad Musa Tungulawa, disclosed this to journalists at his office in Birnin Kebb.

He revealed that over 16 people were arrested and 50,000 bags of charcoal were seized in the Illo and Kaoje districts of Bagudo local government area of the state.

“We’ve received the committee’s investigation report with recommendations, and based on that, we’ve sat with stakeholders and market leadership to inform them of our position,” Tungulawa said. “The committee recommends auctioning seized charcoal and allowing interested parties to express interest.”

The auction committee comprises representatives from the Ministry of Finance (including the Board of Survey), the Internal Revenue Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Environment, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Environment. “Cutting trees without permission is an offence, and we’ll enforce the law,” Tungulawa warned.

The commissioner and his permanent secretary undertook a study tour to Katsina State, on the directive of Governor Dr Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, to acquire knowledge on sustainable charcoal production using agricultural waste. “We’ll allot farmlands for timber production, enabling sustainable tree planting and cutting,” Tungulawa said.

The government plans to secure loans for timber producers, with beneficiaries repaying 60% and the government covering 40%. “Beneficiaries will repay 60% of the loan, while the government supports with 40%,” he explained.

“This empowers them to be self-reliant,” Tungulawa said, appreciating stakeholders’ cooperation. The committee will auction seized charcoal and enforce regulations, promoting sustainable practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as rainfall shortages.

Tungulawa highlighted alternative charcoal production methods using millet, guinea corn, paddy rice, and maize waste, as observed during the Katsina study tour. The ministry aims to curb illegal tree cutting, thereby ensuring food security and protecting the environment.

The commissioner emphasised that illegal tree cutting contributes to climate change, causing hot weather and damaging farms, which in turn impacts food production. The ministry’s efforts aim to strike a balance between environmental conservation and economic empowerment for timber producers.