Deforestation: JAAC calls for ban on illegal lumbering in Benue

The Benue State Joint Account Allocation Committee, (JAAC), has called on the State Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, to swiftly swing into action to stop felling of trees to avoid deforestation.

Special Adviser, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ken Achabo Atam, who made this call on behalf of the body today during the Monthly Joint Account Allocation Committee held at the Conference Hall of the Bureau, wondered why there was rather an increase in lumbering activities when Governments the world over were funding campaigns for afforestation, in order to curb desert encroachment and climate change, and directed Council Chairmen to be vigilant in order to apprehend culprits and bring them to book.

The Special Adviser decried the strain on the JAAC account through Garnishee orders and called on Legal retainers to sit up in the defense of the various litigations against their various Councils.
He said Governor Samuel Ortom was satisfied with the performance of the Chairmen so far but encouraged them to sustain residing in their Local Government Headquarters to nip crises situations in the bud and particularly charged them to sensitize their people on the dangers of bush burning and set machineries in motion to prevent such acts.

Responding, Chairman Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, and the Executive Chairman of Guma Local Government Council, Hon. Caleb Aba , called for a meeting between them and the relevant officials of the ministry to fashion out the best approach to curb the trend and assured Governor Samuel Ortom of their unflinching loyalty and support to his administration.

By Jacob Atanya