By Aliyu Galadima
Federal Government has commenced the establishment of a Bamboo development factory in Kogi State.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, who disclosed this yesterday during a Ministerial briefin, held in Abuja, stated that the initiative aims to boost the Bamboo and Rattan Economy in Nigeria.
“The Ministry has commenced implementation of a Bamboo development factory in Kogi State to promote Bamboo and Rattan Economy in Nigeria in line with the diversification drive of the Renewed Hope administration.
“Feasibility studies for the development of seven more Bamboo factories are ongoing in Ogun, Cross Rivers, Kaduna, Edo, Benue, Ekiti and Taraba States”, he said.
He added that the Ministry’s Department of Forestry has been actively working on various initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and socio-economic development.
In addition to the Bamboo factory, the Minister stated that the Ministry has planted over 4 million trees across the country in collaboration with the National Agency for the Great Green Wall ,NAGGW, and the Accelerating Community-based Restoration of the Sahel Land ,ACReSAL.
“Massive afforestation programmes are being carried out in Bagga Forest Reserve, Tila, Arewa LGA of Kebbi State as well as, Agwada Kokona LGA of Nasarawa State and Karara, Lokoja LGA, Kogi State by the Ministry”, he said.
Lawal noted that the National Agency for the Great Green Wall has also made significant strides, including raising millions of seedlings, establishing shelterbelts, and conducting vocational training and empowerment programmes for youth and women in frontline states.
Lawal emphasised the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing environmental challenges, involving government agencies, private sector actors, communities, and development partners.
He highlighted the need for strengthening policies, improving enforcement mechanisms, increasing financial investments, and enhancing public awareness to achieve sustainable environmental management and resilience to climate change.
The Minister expressed his profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and support for the Ministry’s programmes and initiatives.
The Minister also called for collective action, involving everyone, including members of the press, to drive sustainable development for the benefit of current and future generations.
