Borno govt to raise 300,000 tree seedlings for Great Green Wall project

The Borno State government has started plans to raise over 300,000 seedlings of assorted tree species to compliment the efforts of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) project.

According to the Head, Press and Public Relations of NAGGW, Mrs Larai Daze, this effort would go a long way in addressing the detrimental social, economic and environmental impacts of land degradation and drought in the North East of Nigeria.

“As normalcy is gradually returning to Borno State, the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has through the state Ministry of Environment raised seedlings of assorted tree species to people to cultivate. This is important projects to bring back its losses over the years.”

The Great Green Wall Programme is a Pan-African initiative conceived to address land degradation and desertification, boost food security and support communities to adapt to climate change in the Sahel-Sahara region of Africa.

Daze, also noted that the Great Green Wall programme is one of the Federal Government’s projects in some parts of Borno State gravely affected by the insurgency activities and needed planting of tree crops, boreholes in these areas.

“The seedlings are expected to be used for this year’s planting which will soon commence. Great Green Wall programme is a laudable achievement of the African Union towards fighting desertification which poses a great threat to the frontline countries,” she added.

According to her, with this development, state governments should be the key drivers in the implementation stage of GGW projects, serving as a pivot to sustain the programme initiated by federal and in collaboration with local governments.

The tree species to be planted include Neem, Jathropha, and Gum Arabic.