Five million trees will be planted by the Borno government in the state by 2023.
This was said by Governor Babagana Zulum on Wednesday when presenting the State Assembly with the 2023 Budget.
Zulum, who bemoaned the delay noted on this year’s tree-planting effort, claimed that the preparations for the 2023 exercise have already started in earnest.
The State Government established the Ministry of Environment to provide answers to environmental issues such deforestation, desertification, soil and land degradation, floods and soil erosion, as well as solid waste management.
“Mr. Speaker, during the review period, the government distributed hundreds of different types of tree seedlings in an effort to slow down desertification and replace any vegetation that was destroyed by climatic conditions.
Additionally, the government committed to providing free seedlings of various kinds to people, communities, and schools in order to increase environmental sustainability.
“Mr. Speaker, the ministry of environment undertook the planting of trees at the Borno State University Teaching Hospital along Damaturu road in the State Capital as a step to combat desertification as well as to give wind breaks and shade,” Zulum stated.
He added that the ministry had also given out “wonder boxes” (coolers) to women so they could use them for cooking in an effort to reduce the use of firewood.
According to Zulum, the state administration started action in 2022 to desilt and evacuate drainage systems in Maiduguri and the surrounding areas as well as control flooding and erosion in Gwoza with assistance from the World Bank’s NEWMAP project.
He also mentioned that the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) had approved a new location for the secure disposal of solid waste in the state capital and had carried out fumigation to stop the spread of illnesses like malaria and cholera throughout the State.
