THE inauguration in Kebbi State the other day, of a reforestation project under the Great Green Wall scheme by President Goodluck Jonathan once again, brings to the front burner the desertification problem in the northern part of the country that has defied solution for a long time. The reforestation project is meant to combat the scourge and stem climate change. That nothing concrete has been achieved presently towards its realisation is evidence of lack of official commitment to it, beyond regular rhetoric. Even the funds previously allocated to the scheme are hardly publicly accounted for. If anything, the Kebbi inauguration ought to rekindle government’s resolve to tackle a natural but clearly menacing phenomenon. Desert encroachment is certainly worsening, and has eaten deep into the northern ecological zone, thereby constituting a perpetual threat to the livelihood of millions of people. While in office, the former Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey, once disclosed that the Federal Government had released N5 billion to implement the reforestation project. So far, there is little to show for the money other than prevarication on government’s part; and a re-inauguration of the project as if it is new. It is defeatist enough that it is being relaunched at the onset of the dry season. For the young trees to survive, they need regular rain. Even if there is a plan to irrigate the trees as they are being planted, such would be largely unfeasible, arduous and expensive. Is this then a political gimmick as the general elections draw nearer? Reports say President Jonathan, while inaugurating the project, disclosed that government had disbursed a whopping N16 billion to implement the scheme. The amount was scaled up from the initial N10 billion, which altogether, is higher than the N5 billion earlier announced by Odey as Minister of Environment. The basis for the astronomical increases is not clear. What are the details? On what basis was the huge sum voted for the project? The Reforestation Project Written by Akinlolu Oluwamuyiwa ngrguardiannews/opinion/editorial/189367-the-reforestation-project
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 13:30:09 +0000
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