By Daniel Tyokua
The Director Parks and Recreation Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Mr Isaiah Ukpana, said planting of mangoes and oranges will top the 20,000 tree planting in selected districts for 2023 in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the initiative would provide enough fruits for the residents as well help to maintain a good environment ecosystem in the city.
Ukpana, stated this during the tree planting exercise in Wuye District, yesterday.
He said that the exercise was a continuation of the tree planting in the three districts, including Wuye and Katampe Extension, which began during the 2023 World Environment Day.
The Director said that trees in the areas were vanishing due to developmental activities, saying “there are not many trees in the areas” .
According to him, the tree planting exercise is an attempt to replace the lost trees to maintain a serene environment.
“This is also part of efforts to encourage tree planning which should be the responsibility of everyone.”
He warned residents against indiscriminate felling of trees without permission.
Ukpana added that there were regulations guiding felling of trees, adding that people must seek permission to feel a tree.
The director warned that anyone who fell a tree without permission would be penalised.
He noted that the need for a massive awareness campaign on the importance of trees in the environment with a view to encourage people to plant trees and not to cut down trees.
Ukpana said that the department was working with some non-governmental organisations to plant more trees in the capital cities.
On partnership, Dr Aliyu Ahmed, Chairman, ZFH, a charity foundation working on environment and ecosystem mediation, expressed concern on how the ecosystem in Abuja was being eroded and abused.
Ahmed said that the NGO, with the Director of Parks and Recreation, have concluded plans to plant fruit trees in major parks and gardens in Abuja.
This, according to him, will help to rebuild the battered ecosystem and maintain a serene environment in the capital city.
