Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has banned indiscriminate tree cutting for charcoal production in order to prevent deforestation in the state.
Fintiri announced the ban on Thursday as traditional rulers, members of the state House of Assembly, and members of the judiciary paid him Sallah homage in Yola.
According to him, indiscriminate tree-cutting has a negative impact on the environment and increases the frequency of flooding, among other issues.
Fintiri urged traditional rulers to spread the word to their respective communities in order to protect the environment.
The governor, who noted that there was already a law in place but that it had not been fully implemented, emphasised the importance of all stakeholders acting to end the threat.
He promised farmers his administration’s support, particularly with the supply of agricultural inputs to boost production, as a way of mitigating the impact of the removal of fuel subsidies on the people.
Fintiri expressed dissatisfaction with the state’s court system but assured of its rehabilitation.
He also promised that his administration would maintain harmonious working relationships with legislators for the sake of the state’s development.
The governor expressed gratitude for the adoration and love lavished on him, promising the independence of the legislature and the judiciary for the advancement of the state and the betterment of the citizenry.
In separate remarks, Adamawa’s Lamido, Muhammad Mustapha, thanked Fintiri for his contributions to the state’s development.
Lamido, who was represented by Adamawa’s Waziri and former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, assured all emirates and chiefdoms of their support, cooperation, and prayers for the state’s reconstruction.
Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, Chief Judge, thanked the governor for his commitment to reforming the judiciary from the beginning of his first tenure to the present.
Bathia Wesley, Speaker of the House of Assembly, congratulated Fintiri on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir and assured him of a cordial working relationship.