Kebbi to enforce bush burning laws

By Kabiru Dogon Daji

Birnin Kebbi

The Kebbi state government has resolved to enforce the existing laws against bush burning in the state, following the havoc being done to farm produce by the menace.
Speaking to Blueprint in Birnin Kebbi, chairman, Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (KSEMA), Alhaji Sani Dododo, said the decision became imperative considering the extent of damage recorded annually as a result of the hazardous practice.
He disclosed that, recently, the occurrence caused damage to crops in over 200 hectares of land yet to be harvested in Birnin Kebbi, Fakai, Zuru and Yauri local government areas of the state.
According to him, cereal crops like guinea corn, sorghum, rice and silage were burnt down by the inferno, warning that government would no longer fold its arms watching some unscrupulous elements and enemies of progress causing havoc to the farmers in the state.
Dododo said “we visited some affected rice farms in Birnin Kebbi where we noticed that bush fire gutted a considerable number of acres yet to be harvested and even the harvested ones kept in heaps.”
He warned that people should desist from such ungodly act, otherwise the government would be left with no option than to strictly enforce the state law on bush burning. According to him, security operatives like the police, the NSCD and vigilante group would be directed to arrest and prosecute any erring person or group of persons.
Similarly, the chairman advised citizens in the state to be wary of the harmathan season as it is usually characterised by strong, saying “I want to appeal to the general public, especially those that package silage and hays around their premises, to desist from doing so in order to avoid fire incidents.”

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