Wamakko Wants FG’s Assistance Against Desertification

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has called on the federal government to assist the state in the fight against desertification.

Wamakko made the call recently at a  session of the Centenary Law Summit titled, “Law and Society: 100 years of Legal Development in Nigeria’’ in Abuja.

Wamakko, who was represented by the Attorney-General of the State, Alhaji Nuhu Adamu, said that the fight against desertification could not be fought alone by the state, and appealed to the Federal government for assistance in tackling the menace.

“The desert is encroaching into the state at the rate of 3.5 km per annum which is the fastest in the continent.

“I have directed the relevant agencies and authorities in the state to be proactive and take the necessary steps to combat the menace.

“Actions of far reaching affects are being taken which include the resuscitation and rehabilitation of the afforestation programme and the Forest Improve Project.

“We have also established a set of environmental protection agencies and the ministry of environment for proper coordination of our policies in this direction.

“ Through these agencies we have created 3,540 km of wind breakers, 179 kms of road side plantation and 23,504 hectares of plantations across the state, among others.

“The fight against desertification cannot be fought by the state alone; we, therefore, call on the federal government to assist the state in the fight against desertification, ’’ he said.