Akinjide warns developers against distorting Abuja Master Plan

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, on Thursday warned developers and residents against distorting the Abuja Master Plan.
The minister, who gave this warning while launching this year’s tree planting in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, stressed the need for strict compliance with the approved land use master-plan of the FCT.
She also advised developers and individuals to desist from building on designated green areas as well as flood and disaster prone areas.
Akinjide noted that tree planting had become necessary to tackle the environmental challenges of erosion, flooding and desertification threatening several nations including Nigeria.
Akinjide: “The current global environmental problems/challenges such as erosion, flooding and desertification, among others that are directly threatening Nigeria now call for aggressive sensitization on tree planting since it is the only known natural solution to curbing the menace.
“The negative effect of this is the colossal waste of lives, properties and even agricultural crops which is a bad signal to food security, an essential part of Mr. President’s Transformation Agenda.”
She reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to providing a secured and safe environment to all FCT residents and visitors and therefore urged them to imbibe the culture of planting trees around their homes.
“Tree planting is a continuous and daily exercise if we are to make any meaningful impact in curbing the menace of environmental degradation,” she added.
The Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs. Olvadi Bema Madayi, had earlier in her address, stated that Forestry Sub-sector of the Agriculture and Rural Development was currently executing some projects to mitigate the effects of erosion, landslides and flood.
She listed the projects as watershed management, afforestation, and FCT boundary planting.
Madayi said: “To ensure sustainable tree planting programme in FCT, the Forestry Unit has established three Forest Nurseries in Bako, Kwali Area Council; Karshi in Municipal Area Council, and Bwari in Bwari Area Council of FCT.
“The assorted seedlings raised in these Nurseries are distributed free to FCT residents, religious organizations and various Non-governmental organizations. We need to imbibe the healthy habit of planting at least five trees whenever we remove one. The habit will not only beautify our environment but will save the environment from the evil of deforestation.”