Katsina to partner NGOs on desertification control

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

Katsina state government has expressed its resolve to collaborate with non governmental organizations to check desertification in the state.
Governor Aminu Bello Masari made this pledge when he received the leadership of Katsina state Youths Against Deforestation led by the state chairman, Alhaji Lawal Usman Murnai at the Government house, Katsina.
Masari observed that, as indigenes of Katsina state, we should all be members of the Association in totality because desertification constitute a threat to the habitat of the people of the state.
He reminded people that climate change had brought changing pattern of rainfall with massive flooding recorded annually in the state.
The Governor noted that the nature of houses are such that could not withstand the heavy down pour being recorded of recently.
He said the population of katsina state had more than tripled after the creation of the state, adding that human beings and animals along with birds have to co-habitate on the same land.
The Governor requested the leadership of the Association to embrace the culture of educating the populace on the dangers of illicit felling of trees without replacement through planting newly improve species of the trees.
Masari assured that the proposal submitted by the Association would be handed over to the state ministry of environment for implementation, and directed the Ministry to work closely with the Association for the proposal to be a reality in addressing the advancing desertification in the state.
He advised the officials of the Association to align themselves with international organizations connected to the United Nations through the state and federal ministries of environment for the implementation of their programmes.
Earlier, the state chairman of the Association, Alhaji Lawal Usman Murnai told the Governor that they were in the Government house to show appreciation for the support rendered to the Association by the APC administration.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Masari for the provision of a land in front of the state Secretariat for the raising of tree seedlings for distribution to people in the state.
He commended the APC administration for the execution of drainages throughout the state to check flooding and the reclamation work carried out in Kayauki village to check gully erosion threatening the existence of the village.
While appreciating the recent flagged off of drainages construction by NEWMAP in Jibiya, Katsina, Malumfashi and Funtua.