By Fatima Saka
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has said that the southern part of the country deserves attention and a share of the N250bn to be borrowed from the World Bank by the Federal Government to solve environmental degradation in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The organization made the pronouncement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi.
“When we talk of environmental degradation, it is a known fact that a lot of places, particularly in the South-East and the South-South, have been rendered almost useless by incessant erosion. Such places equally deserve similar attention.
“Reports have quoted the Coordinator of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, Salisu Dahiru, as saying that the project for which the said loan was being sought, was to address the issue and challenges of environmental degradation in terms of deforestation, erosion, storm, water management and meeting the needs of the people in terms of food production,” Ajayi said.
The Afenifere spokesperson stated that all the points raised to justify the project equally applied to the South.
In addition he said that, “Other than desertification that is greater in the North and leading to poor water storage, all other issues mentioned equally apply to the South.
“However, is no doubt that the activities of bandits and terrorists are far more responsible for the inadequate food production in the North and even in the South-western part of the country in recent times. This means that if terrorism is not brought to an end, the loan committed to such a project in the North may just go down the drain as it may not achieve the announced reasons for obtaining it.”
