Lawmaker advocates establishment of Re-afforestation Commission

Alhaji Yau Galadima, a member-elect of the House of  Representatives from Yobe, has advised the Federal Government to establish Re-afforestation Commission to curtail  desert encroachment in the country.

Galadima, who was elected under the APC to represent Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency, gave the advice in an interview on Monday in Damaturu.

The lawmaker said that if established, the commission would focus on increased vegetation by raising and planting assorted seedlings, as well as establish oases and orchards to combat desert encroachment.

Galadima said that the commission would also be saddled with the responsibility of taking measures against environmental pollution, flood and erosion.

The lawmaker said that policy interventions and management approach was needed to prevent and reverse desertification in the North-East sub-region of the country.

He added that in areas where desertification processes were at early stages, it was possible to contain the situation and restore key services in the degraded areas.

According to him, the adverse effect of desertification on dry-land ecosystem services and limited success in rehabilitation is a clear indication that it is more cost-effective to prevent desertification.

He said as a lawmaker, he would canvass for legislation that would encourage fishing and irrigation to enhance the living condition of his constituents.

“My constituents are suffering from harsh desert condition which has made farming very difficult in some parts of Jakusko and Bade Local Governments Areas of Yobe,” he said.

(NAN)