Gov. Mohammed warns traditional, community leaders against selling of forests

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has warned all the traditional rules and community leaders to desist from selling forests across the State.

Mohammed, who sounded the warning in Alkaleri Local Government Area during the
flagging off of the construction of 25km Mainamaji – Pali – Gwaram rural road, said the act was exposing the state to land grappling related crisis.

He, however, urged them to use the forests for agriculture production as well as other profitable endeavours.

According to him, the construction of the rural road would be carried out under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) and funded by the World Bank and French Development Agency in collaboration with the Federal Government and 19 benefiting states.

He said that the road was aimed at opening up the area and boost the economic activities of the area and the state at large.

“The area is blessed with natural resources that are gradually attracting investors.

“No fewer than 200 youths will be employed as truck drivers while many others will be taught welding and some will be employed as skilled and casual workers.

“Plans have been completed to establish a cement factory in Gwana district which will offer employment opportunities to the people,” he said.

Mohammed assured that his administration would continue to embark on projects that would open up the rural areas in order to checkmate migration to the urban areas.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Rural Development and Special Duties, Mr Farouk Mustapha said the project was one of Mohammed’s legacy projects adding that the sum of N2.5 billion has been paid as counterpart fund by the state government.

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