President Muhammadu Buhari, at the launching of ‘Keep Kaduna Green’ Project in Kaduna on Thursday declared that his administration is poised to unroll greater-than-expected measures to keep the country green.
The president who was represented by the minister of Environment Amina Muhammed, disclosed that Nigeria has the highest rate of deforestation in the world.
“Environment is one of the six core pillars of this economy, thus underscoring the importance to the Change Agenda. The initiative in Kaduna State today is a clear example of state government contributing to the environment component of our economy.
“This initiative further underscores the importance of taking climate action and creating jobs for our teeming youths. This a worthy and timely project given the challenges and opportunities it provides to Nigeria.Nigeria has the highest rate of deforestation in the world.
“It is on record that the rate of deforestation is about 3.5 per cent per annum. The implication of this is that about 350,000 to 400,000 hectares of forest, equivalent to 576 million trees are lost annually.
“The environmental challenges that come with this include desertification,erosion, flooding and reduction in perspiration and contribution to drought. All this bringing untold hardship on communities and the environment, Buhari added.
“It is gladdening to hear that 1000 strong team of supervisors have been trained to distribute 3 million seedlings to all the wards across the state. It is heart warming that 26,000 women and youths shall be involved in nurturing the trees to maturity.
“It is my belief that this project will be followed through and will mark the beginning of good things to come especially towards ensuring a sustainable forest development and environmental management in Nigeria”
