The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, has stated that those felling economic trees will be punished adding that there is a law prohibiting the act in the state.
Bello, who gave this warning, Wednesday, while performing the official commencement of planting of hybrid Shea trees on 20 Hectares land at Kodo village in Beji Forest Reserve, Bosso Local Government Area of the state, said the state was fully tapping into the benefits in the Shea value chain for accelerated economic transformation.
“These Shea trees have some distinctive features such as short gestation period of seven years from the traditional 15-20 years. It also produces quality Shea fruits in more quantities. Therefore, these hybrid trees have the potentials to turn around the economic fortunes of the state in particular and Nigeria at large.”
Bello said the state had the highest number of Shea trees in Africa adding that it was important to take advantage of the numbers.
“It is no longer news that Niger State has the highest number of Shea Trees in Africa and the world. It is very important that we take full advantage of these economic trees in the state.
“The Shea value chain is one big circle that has the potential of engaging thousands of women and youths across the state. And it will interest you to know that the global Shea butter market has grown rapidly overtime because of its increased use for confectionaries, cosmetics and pharmaceutical ingredients,” said the governor.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Daniel Galadima, said a new chapter had opened in the history of the state towards tapping revenue from abundant forest resources in order to enhance the internally generated revenue and make the state less-dependent on monthly handout.
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