Despite warnings on the danger of illegal felling of trees, the Niger State Government on Monday said it has lost over 60 per cent of its forest to illegal timber operators.
Making this known at the Bi-weekly press briefing organised by the State Ministry of Information on Monday, was the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Idris Jibrin Aminu.
Aminu said: “Over fifty persons were remanded in prison while others were released after paying the sum of N20,000 each.”
This is as the Director-General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano, only recently disclosed that Nigeria has lost 96 per cent of its forests.
According to the Commissioner: “We cannot afford to fold our arms and watch our forests continue to go down.
“We have created awareness at the eight Emirate council’s.
“The fine for offenders is N100,000 fine or two years in prison.
“But because of their leniency, the court released over two-thirds of the offenders at the rate of N20,000 each.
“Niger State has lost over 60 per cent of its forests due to illegal felling of trees.
“The law against charcoal is still in force in the state, and we are reviewing hte laws banning the production and sake of charcoal and other foerestry products.
“The government revoked the licenses of all timber operators and workers across the state and none of them have come for renewal.
“This means that anyone engaging in felling tree is doing so illegally and will be dealt with according the law.”
Furthermore, Hon. Aminu said there is absolute need by everyone to make concerted effort to grow more trees because the deforestation takes place mostly in Bida, Lapai, Suleja, Agaie, Rafi andu Mokwa Local Government Areas.
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