By Mubarak Aliyu kobi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of charcoal production on the state’s ecosystem.
During a meeting with representatives from Oxfam and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Governor Mohammed lamented the wanton destruction of the environment by charcoal makers, stressing that the government cannot afford to sit idly by while the ecosystem is ravaged.
The Governor’s concerns come on the heels of a statewide campaign on climate change awareness and resilience, which was concluded by Oxfam and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
The campaign aimed to educate communities on the dangers of climate change and promote sustainable practices to mitigate its effects.
According to Governor Mohammed, the menace of charcoal production is a major contributor to deforestation and climate change, and urgent action is needed to protect the state’s environment.
The Oxfam team, which paid a courtesy visit to the Governor, advocated for stronger legal frameworks to support environmental protection.
They urged the Bauchi State Government to consider enacting a law to protect the environment and promote climate resilience.
The team explained that having a legislative framework would not only sustain climate action in the state but also position Bauchi to attract funding from global partners.
Governor Mohammed assured the visiting team of the state’s full support and directed the Secretary to the State Government to compile a comprehensive report of the campaign outcomes and present it before the State Executive Council for further deliberations and policy action.