Federal Government Vows to Enhance Security for Forests Recovery

The Federal Government has declared its commitment to bolstering the country’s security architecture to reclaim the nation’s forests from criminal elements.

The Minister of Environment, Balarebe Lawal, made this known at a top management retreat held in Kaduna on Thursday.

The retreat, themed ‘Policy Embodiment and Prioritization of Key Action for a Renewed Hope in Environmental Management’, aimed to strategize on critical issues related to the ministry’s operations.

Lawal emphasized that forests have become havens for bandits, poachers, and kidnappers, posing a threat to national security and impeding the nation’s progress on the Great Green Wall Project.

He stated, “The nation’s wealth is threatened by activities such as oil theft and illegal mining, which are also hindering the Great Green Wall Project aimed at controlling desertification.”

In response to these challenges, Lawal revealed that the government, in alignment with the President’s directives, is devising strategies to deploy security forces and forest guards to flush out criminal elements.

The government also aims to foster community engagement and international collaboration in this endeavor.

Highlighting the significance of the retreat, Lawal emphasized the need to collectively brainstorm strategies to address immediate and future challenges in the ministry’s operations.

He noted, “We have committed to a performance bond with Mr. President on 18-point deliverables in priority areas that align with our mandates.

Our discussions will revolve around these deliverables, which are in line with the Administration’s 8-point Agenda.”

The minister urged all participants to apply the knowledge gained from the retreat in their respective roles, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving the ministry’s objectives.