The Kaduna State Government says it would enforce the state law on bush burning to protect the environment. It warned that it would appropriately deal with anyone caught in the act.

The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Saidu Adamu, said this in Kaduna, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting. Adamu said the incessant case of bush burning and conflicts between farmers and hunters necessitated the need for the government to enforce the law.

“Bush burning in Kaduna is illegal and banned. Nobody is allowed to set fire for any reason in the bush,’’ he said.

He, therefore, solicited for the support and cooperation of hunters, warning that offenders would be prosecuted. The commissioner also said that government would deal with commercial motorcyclists, who violated movement restriction order in Sabon Gari Local Government area.

He said the order was still enforce as motorcycles could only be used between 7am and 6pm. He said security agents would arrest any cyclist, who failed to comply with the order, adding: “security agents have been directed to ensure compliance with the law”. He said the Commissioner for Lands was also directed to investigate the issue of land encroachment at the Millennium City.

Adamu said although the resident of the area had been compensated by the government, many had refused to vacate the land. “We cannot start making allocation without proper acquisition of the land. “We also have land speculators causing problems here and there and even erecting structures although compensation has been made.” He said the governor had directed commissioners to monitor ongoing projects in their local government areas, saying: “there is no local government that we do not have ongoing projects. “You must be able to know what is going on in your local government. You should be able to know if the contractor is working or not and at the same time report any complain”, he said.