Segun Babatunde in Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya vowed that his administration will continue to work in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies to address environmental challenges confronting the State.
Governor Yahaya stated this Wednesday when he visited the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Mahmood in his office in Abuja.
According to a Press Release by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Senior Special Assistant
( Media and Publicity) to the state ,Governor told his host that the vegetational composition of Gombe State coupled with mining and poor agricultural practices have negatively impacted on environmental management, leading to desertification and gully erosion.
He further explained that the State capital is situated in a deep valley which makes it more easier for large volume of water to flow through the city each time it rains.
He said these environmental challenges confronting the State were what informed his visit to the Federal Ministry of Environment so as to seek for ways to improve the environment for the benefit of the people of the State.
Governor Yahaya said in the quest to save the environment, his administration has embarked on reforestation programme code named Gombe Goes Green (3G) targeting the planting of four million trees in four years.
He said the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria has equally joined hands with Gombe State Government to ensure that the target of planting the four million trees is achieved.
Governor Yahaya expressed the hope that through the climate change agenda and intervention funds, the State Government will partner with the Federal government to holistically address the challenges confronting the Environment.
He disclosed that his administration has since paid its counterpart fund of 500 million Naira to facilitate the activities of NEWMAP to help in the control of the monstrous gullies in the the State.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed concern that the State may be left with more of such gullies to contain with in view of the fact that the NEWMAP project is gradually coming to an end.
He said the State has identified over two hundred active gullies, a situation the Governor said calls for concerted efforts to address.
On his part, the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Mahmood applauded Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his determination to reclaim the environment through the Gombe Goes Green (3G) initiative, saying the Federal Ministry of Environment will support the noble effort.
He described the afforestation programme of Gombe state as one of the most organized in the country, calling on other states to emulate the Gombe model.
He said his Ministry, through its agencies will continue to work in partnership with the Gombe State Government to improve the environment and the general ecosystem.
He appreciated Gombe state Governor for providing office accommodation for some of the arms of the Ministry, which he said will facilitate more harmonious and closer working relationship.
The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner of Environment and Forestry Resources, Dr. Hussaina Goje and her Water Resources counterpart, Alhaji Mijinyawa Yahaya, Special Adviser, Abuja Liaison, Hon. Usman Aliyu Garry and Director General, Federal Government Bureau, Mr. Nuhu Sada as well as other aides. END