Bauchi State Government says it will sanction and punish anyone caught associated with indiscriminate felling of trees for timber and charcoal.
The Acting caretaker chairman committee of Ningi local government area Hon. Saleh Kasko Nasaru made this known at the public auction of bags of charcoal
Six trucks, loaded with full bags of charcoal were confiscated at Burra Community in Ningi yesterday.
Saleh Kasko, said the auction followed after the magistrate court order issued to the committee.
The six trucks carrying about 1500 bags of charcoal were confiscated during an attempt to sneak them into Kano state.
He said despite several efforts by the government to fight the trend of indiscriminate tree felling, unscrupulous elements have continued to undermine such efforts.
He, however, warned that the government would by any means ensure the full protection of the forest to be of benefit for the coming generation.
Sale Kasko Nasaru, also solicited the support from the traditional rulers and the community stakeholders to redouble their efforts in converting the menace.
He therefore commended the effort of the state governor Bala Muhammad for his concern to curtail the act.
Also speaking the District Head of Burra Alh. Yau Shehu Abubakar, represented by Alh.Shehu Yakubu, lamented that the act of felling of trees in the name of timber and charcoal remains a threat to the community.
He expressed hope that under the new administration in the LGA the culture would be dealt with accordingly.
Alh. Yau Shehu, also expressed dismay that soil erosion, desertification and land degradation are the some of the challenges faced by the people of the area as a result of indiscriminate felling of trees.
While calling for effective strategies against the trend, the traditional ruler, offered his continued support and cooperation for the state government to succeed in all it policies..
Meanwhile the perpetrators who were apprehended with the truck load of charcoal confessed to being indigenes of Ningi LGA.
