The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has disclosed that the FCT administration has been investing in the adoption of solar lighting to illuminate streets in the satellite towns of Abuja.
The Minister revealed this at the commencement of 2020 Tree Planting Campaign in Karshi, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Thursday.
According to her, the FCT Administration was working on other innovative solutions capable of earning carbon credits for development in the satellite towns.
She explained that the Tree Planting campaign was an annual global event meant to create awareness among citizens.
Aliyu noted that the campaign would educate residents to sustainably manage forests for the purpose of meeting the development needs of the present and future generation.
She said that the administration was working on a number of policy instruments to enhance the protection of the territory’s tree stock.
According to her, efforts are being made to promote the wide adoption of climate-friendly practices across the territory.
As to this year’s theme – “Forests and Biodiversity: Too Precious to Lose”, the minister comment was that now is the best for its coinage.
“All hands need to be on deck to ensure the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 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.
“The goal will ensure sustainable management of forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation as well as halt biodiversity loss.”
She also called on relevant departments to join hands with the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) in the re-vegetation of open spaces, degraded hill tops and hill slopes.
The minister tasked relevant departments to claim old burrow-pit as well as rivers and flood-prone areas to prevent and mitigate adverse environmental consequences in the satellite towns.
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