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Kano Concern Citizens Forum seeks upgrade of Falgore Game Reserve

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By Muhammad Ali

The Kano State Concern Citizens Forum has urged the state government to endorse the Federal Government’s initiative aimed at elevating the status of the Falgore Game Reserve to a National Park.

The forum cited the potential benefits of the park to future generations as reasons why the state government should embrace the federal government’s initiative.

This contained in a statement by the Forum’s Chairman, Mr Muhammadu Inuwa, on Monday in Kano.

He said the forum emphasised the importance of wildlife preservation, tourism promotion, and job creation.

According to Inuwa, the 920 square-kilometer Falgore Game Reserve is a remarkable repository of biodiversity, adding that the proposed transformation holds significant promise for the state and the region.

“The transition of the reserve to a national park under the FG’s National Park Service (NPS) would open doors to increased funding from international organisations, donors, philanthropists, and government sources.

“This financial boost would significantly contribute to conservation efforts and infrastructure enhancement within the reserve. Furthermore, the upgraded status would provide game rangers with modern equipment and tools essential for effective wildlife conservation,” he said.

He also noted that the transition would also generate job opportunities for Kano State residents, with existing staff finding opportunities within the NPS.

He said the Falgore Reserve was a critical water source for the region, as the River Kano flows through it, sustaining the Tiga Dam and enabling farming in parts of Kano South.

“Enhanced resources and personnel would act as a deterrent to criminals seeking refuge in the reserve, thereby contributing to a safer environment and attracting tourism,” he said.

According to him, flora and fauna within the reserve could be better preserved with adequate funding and equipment.

He cautioned that the reserve currently faces ongoing deforestation resulting to the extinction of valuable trees.

“The personnel at the reserve often require military support to confront armed loggers from neighboring states seeking to exploit its resources.

“As such, we appeal to Gov. Abba Yusuf to take the necessary steps to facilitate a seamless transition of the reserve for the wellbeing of humans and wildlife.”

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NESREA tackles plastic waste pollution through EPR scheme implementation 

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NESREA tackles plastic waste pollution through EPR scheme implementation

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has unveiled measures to tackle increasing problem of plastic waste pollution in Nigeria.

Dr Innocent Barikor, Director General of the Agency, made the announcement on Wednesday while inspecting some plastic companies in Kano.

Barikor, represented by the Head, Plastic Pollution Control, NESREA, Abuja, Mr Chukwudi Nwabuisiaku, said the Federal Government was set to implement the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.

He said that the scheme was a critical strategy to reduce plastic and promote recycling, adding that plastic waste posed environmental degradation due to its non-degradable nature.

Barikor said that although plastics provided significant economic benefits in industries such as packaging, healthcare, and construction, they contained harmful chemicals used in their production.

He said that some of the factors had contributed to increasing plastic pollution, threatening both human health and biodiversity.

Barikor said that in response to the concerns, NESREA had rolled out the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme for plastic packaging and other plastic products.

He revealed that the initiative was supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other development partners.

He, however, added that the EPR programme aimed to hold producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, including waste management and recycling efforts.

According to him, the new project is titled, “Accelerating a Circular Plastic Economy to Reduce Plastic Pollution and Its Impacts in the African Region.”

‘’This will enhance the operation and enforcement of Nigeria’s national environmental regulations on plastic waste, focusing on plastic packaging.

‘’It also aims to create a comprehensive proposal to expand the programme’s scope across the country,

Some of the plastic companies and recycling plants visited include; Holborn, VIVA, ASIA, Fas Agro, and Anthophila Empire, all located in Kano metropolis.

The stakeholders who welcomed the new initiative, promised to transition their businesses to more sustainable models.

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Self Help Africa partners KNSG on sustainable WASH services delivery

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An International NGO, Self Help Africa (SHA), has partnered Kano State Government to provide support and strengthen sustainable and robust Water Sanitation and Hygiene WASH services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this came to the fore at a two-day ‘Visioning Workshop’ on Friday in Kano.

Shadrack Guusu, Head of WASH Programmes, said that Wash System for Health (WS4H) programme was being implemented by SHA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and Kano State Government.

Gusuu said that the programme was a £5 million FCDO-funded initiative aimed at improving access to inclusive, reliable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services in Cross River and Kano State.

He highlighted the need to strengthen local institutions and communities for the effective management and sustainability of WASH services.

The head of the programme emphasized SHA’s role in advocacy and policy influence, working with the government to prioritise WASH in development agendas and secure necessary resources.

According to him, the project is focusing on identifying systematic issues and gaps that exist in the sector and also supporting the state to build strategies and ensure that those gaps are fixed.

He said that the visioning workshop was a participatory meeting where sector actors come together to carry out an evaluation of the WASH system, using the building blocks analysis.

“Building blocks means different building blocks that make up the system and each of the building blocks are analysed by team of small actors.

”This is to ensure that the gaps will be identified and a work plan is developed to see how those gaps are filled.

“Our aims is to ensure that the system is strengthened and leading to sustainable WASH services delivery in Kano State,” he said.

Some of the stakeholders, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) emphasized Kano’s large population and the urgent need for better access to potable water and sanitation facilities.

They also highlighted the state’s commitment to addressing these issues as a priority for inclusive development and environmental improvement.

They further pledged to come up with a robust plan that would ensure the success of the program.

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NAGGW DG flags-off direct tree planting in Kano communities

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Kano-The National Agency For Great Green Wall has flagged off its 2024 Tree Planting campaign in Kano communities to reduce menace of desertification in the state.

The newly appointed Director General of the Agency, Saleh Abubakar flaged-off the exercise on Thursday in Fagwalawa Dashi, Danbatta local government area of Kano state.

The agency’s boss said the objectives of the tree planting was to avert Desertification and other environmental challenges affecting the area.

Represented by acting director, afforestation and land management, Auwalu Yunusa, said the tree planting campaign was flag -off in all the eleven frontline states NAGGW was working.

He said the aim of the program was to restore the degraded land and also to curtail the menace of desertification and improve soil fertility.

“We are planting trees on 176 Hectares of land which involves two hundred seedlings of different species,” he explained.

Earlier, the state coordinator /Field officer, Kano office, Ahmad Mukhtar, said the direct tree planting would play a vital role in reviving the degraded land.

He stressed that numerous environmental challenges would be averted through the program.

Mukhtar explained that the community were fully participating in the program which the secret behind the success of the tree plantation nationwide.

The coordinator commended the commitment and dedication of the New Director General of the Agency for being prompt in Flagging Off this year’s tree planting program in all the eleven Frontline States.

The field officer who decried felling of trees, described cutting down of trees as a major threat to many environments.

The community leader of Dama, Malam Isah Shuaibu commended the Agency for planting four different species of trees in the area.

Shaibu who lauded the agency for the gesture, said that the exercise would go along way in tackling desertification and climate change in the area.

 

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