Expert advises FCT residents to plant trees to tackle desertification

MR Williams Osaze, the President, the Society for the Promotion of People`s Rights, an NGO, on Monday advised FCT residents to plant trees to tackle desertification in the area.

Mr Williams Osaze, the President of the organisation, gave the advice in Abuja on Monday.

He said the planting of more trees would protect the environment and conserve the area’s fragile ecosystem.

“Therefore, he urged individuals and communities to imbibe the spirit of planting and discourage indiscriminate felling of trees.”

‘‘Residents should ensure that they engage in environmental sanitation and avoid dumping of refuse in drains to prevent flooding and erosion hazards.”

‘‘If you do not protect your environment, it means you are not fit to live and you are not helping the environment as well as the health of the people,’’ he said.

Osaze said trees have a lot of benefits among which were a reduction of effects of global warming, provision of employment opportunities, promoting economy and a source of medicine.

He advised the government to provide seedlings in various communities to encourage tree planting among the citizenry.

‘‘Residents, who want to enjoy their environment, must abide by the rules and regulations in ensuring that trees are not cut down.”

‘‘If peradventure one tree is cut down make sure you plant three trees to replace the tree that was felled,’’ he said.

The president called on government’s agencies and communities to sensitise the people on the importance of tree planting and the effects of tree cutting without any replacement.