The Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has begun the fight to curtail deforestation of parts of Niger state with the planting of trees in a 40-hectare land for the year.
Managing director of HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, stated this Monday while flagging off the exercise at Shata village, Bosso local government area of the state.
He said, “The commission is flagging off tree planting on 40 hectares of land in the three geo political zones of Niger state. Here in Shata community, we have five hectares of land and we are having a symbolic planting exercise today to mark this year’s World Environment Day,” he said.
Represented by the director operations of the commission, Iliyasu Abdullahi Wawa, the managing director implored the villagers to avoid indiscriminate cutting of trees, adding that the commission is committed to carrying out advocacy and sensitisation against cutting of trees.
He said: “Cutting of trees has serious consequences to humanity and the environment. Therefore the current rate of charcoal production is alarming in Niger state because it contributes to the problem of deforestation in the state.”
In a keynote address, Professor Muhammad Nuhu Bashir of FUT Minna, called for innovation and research for effective recycling of plastic wastes to enhance economic growth.
Speaking on the theme of this year World Environment Day, “Solution to Plastic Pollution,” Professor Bashir expressed concern over use of plastic, stating that, “it is threatening ecosystem, wildlife and human health.”
He argued that to effectively curtail further plastic pollution, it is necessary to stop single use of plastics and engage in waste to energy and waste to wealth recycling of used plastic products.
