Commitment
By Uwumarogie Peter
Gombe, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Gombe State government has restated continued commitment to addressing environmental challenges in the state.
Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo, the Governor, gave the commitment on Monday while presenting the 2019 budget to the State House of Assembly in Gombe.
Dankwambo said that efforts of the government to sustain healthy environment in the state had necessitated a budget of N1.89 billion for the sector.
He noted that the environment was critical to having a safe and secure living, adding that it was in that regard that the state government had maintained zero tolerance to acts that could destroy the environment.
According to him, government has achieved a lot in addressing the environmental challenges in the state, assuring that such effort will be strengthened.
“A healthy environment is critical to a safe and secure living. It is in this regard that we have maintained zero tolerance to waste disposal, enacted environmental laws and undertook beautification of open spaces.
“We have also ensured channelisation of waste water and drains, reclaimed degraded areas and encouraged the use of renewable energy.
“We also addressed indiscriminate felling of trees, encouraged establishment of wood plantations, raised and distributed seedlings and encouraged cut one, plant two policy,” he said.
Dankwambo emphasised that government would partner with relevant stakeholders in the sector to ensure a safe state for everyone.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the state Forestry and Wildlife Management board has commenced distribution of 50,000 tree seedlings to the public.
The exercise,which aims at combating desertification, commenced on Oct. 11, under the supervision of the State Ministry of Environment.(NAN)
UP/MUYI/DUA
Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Dada Ahmed