By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday said more resources would be invested in adoption of solar lighting of streets and satellite towns.
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu disclosed this at the flag-off of 2020 tree planting campaign at Karshi in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
She said that the FCT Administration was working on other innovative solutions capable of earning carbon credits with which to spur development in the satellite towns.
Aliyu said tree planting campaign was an annual global event meant to create awareness amongst citizens on the need to sustainably manage forests for the purpose of meeting the developmental needs of the present generation without compromising the opportunity of future generations to manage theirs.
She explained that the administration was considering a number of policy instruments to enhance the protection of the territory’s tree stock, adding that efforts are also being expended to promote the wide adoption of climate-friendly practices across the nooks and crannies of the territory.
On this year’s theme, “Forests and Biodiversity: Too Precious to Lose”, the minister noted that this could not have been coined at a better time than now when all hands need to be on deck to ensure the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She explained that, “Goals 13 and 15 of the SDGs require all and sundry to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; and protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”.
The minister called on other relevant departments to, as a matter of urgency, join hands with the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) in the re-vegetation of all open spaces, degraded hill tops and hill slopes, reclaim old burrow-pit as well as rivers and flood-prone areas to prevent and mitigate adverse environmental consequences in the satellite towns of the territory.
She said that the STDD has earmarked 48,000 assorted indigenous tree species to be planted in the six Area Councils and 20,000 to be donated to foreign Embassies/High Commissions, FCT Public and Private Schools, religious bodies among others.
