In an attempt to stop environmental degradation and promote public hygiene, the governor of the state of Borno, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has signed two executive orders that prohibit the indiscriminate logging of the trees and declare the first Saturday of each month as a day of sanitation throughout the state.
Speaking in the House Government, Maiduguri, Zulum said that the executive order against tree felling is part of the efforts of his administration to address the growing environmental challenges and improve public health.
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The governor expressed a deep concern about the growing incidence of tree felling, pointing to his threat to the ecosystem and future generations.
“In accordance with the powers conferred by me by Section 14 (2) and Section 20 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (amended), the logging of the Tree Law, Cap 53, the laws of the State of Borno, 1994, and all other enabling laws, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, governor of the state of Born, therefore, the state of Born Trees of trees is improvised.
He explained that anyone found to cut trees without authorization would face sanctions, adding that criminals for the first time would be responsible for a fine of N250,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, while subsequent criminals would face a fine of N500,000 or prison for up to five years, or both.
Similarly, the governor signed a second executive order that makes monthly sanitation mandatory, emphasizing that the initiative aims to improve environmental cleaning and prevent disease outbreaks. “In this order, I declare the first Saturday of each month as the day of sanitation throughout the state of Born,” Zulum said.
He added that the Sanitation Court would try to criminals, warning that the offenders would face sanctions, with criminals for the first time responsible for a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, and the repeat offenders who face up to five years in jail.
The governor revealed that he would soon sign an additional executive order to regulate the elimination and trade of scrap and trade, noting that the offenders would face strong sanctions.
He addressed the Born State Police and the relevant agencies to enforce executive orders, warning that acts that undermine environmental security and sustainability would not be tolerated.
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