Niger State Government has expressed its readiness to plant no fewer than 19 million trees across the State in the next two years in line with the vision of the state Governor, Hon.Mohammed Umaru Bago on green economy.
The Hon. Commissioner for the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Malam Yakubu Kolo made the disclosure in an interactive session with the newsmen at Government House, Minna on Thursday during the post-ExCO meeting held at the Council Chamber, Government House Minna on Wednesday.
At the Media briefing presided over by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hajiya Binta Znamman, Malam Yakubu Kolo represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Sirajo Sa’eed said the state’s Plan to host the Maiden Green Summit this month is to make Niger State a green hub of Nigeria, with stakeholders from the local, national and International Front expected to suggest ways to tap in from the bountiful resources of the State.
While enumerating some of the activities carried out by the Ministry to position it for effective and efficient service delivery, the Commissioner said deforestation is being addressed in the state.
He explained that the Ministry has generated about N5 million within September 2023, from those engaged in illegal logging activities across the state.
He said the State Government is equally addressing the issue of dumpsites in some major towns of the State in collaboration with relevant agencies while the Ministry has also recorded success in identifying sites where chemicals are stored in the State capital.
The Commissioner also hinted that the Government has terminated the contract with a Ghana firm made by the last administration on waste management and intends to engage another Company that would recycle waste for economic growth.
He said the issue of cleaners in the State is being addressed as a Committee has been set up to ascertain their number with a view to looking into their wages for improvement.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Maurice Magaji disclosed that the State Government has handed over six hectares of land to the contractors handling the Minna urban renewal project, for yard development.
Barr. Magaji explained that the six hectares of land are located at Rafin Yashi and that the contracting firm has moved to the site and activities of surveying and measurement are ongoing to allow them to be in tune with the terms of the contract and the area of coverage.
He stated further that the uncompleted Maitunbi/Rafin Yashi bye-pass is also part of the project to be developed, highlighting that the road will be dualized.
Also in his separate remarks, the Hon Commissioner for Lands and Survey emphasized that as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility(‘CSR) of a Construction Company, the layout in the area is expected to undergo some level of development, skilled and unskilled jobs opportunities for teaming youths and the construction of estate in the yard after the contract.
He explained further that the same will soon be replicated in Bida and later in Suleja and Kontagora local government areas of the State.
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