Gombe spent N1b in three years on gully erosion control, says perm sec

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry Resources in Gombe State, Mr. Adamu Pukuma, yesterday stated that over N1 billion had been spent by the state government in the last three years on control of gully erosion.

Pukuma, who disclosed this in Gombe when members of the House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources and Environment visited the ministry, said: “Not only here the state capital, all over the 11 local councils were aggravated by the menace of gully erosion, as we receive report almost on daily basis.

“It was because of the importance of environment the governor deems it fit to create the Ministry of Environment.”

The Permanent Secretary stated that Sahara desert is fast-approaching, and the Lake Chad has almost dried up, adding that the advancement of Sahara is so rapid, hence the need to encourage tree planting.

Also speaking during the visit, Mr. Rambi Ayala, member representing Billiri East Constituency who is the Chairman of the committee, said they were in the ministry on familiarisation tour.

He said water resources and environment are critical areas that needed attention, adding that there is also the global concern, the global warming which necessitated the foresight for the governor to create the Ministry of Environment to meet up the challenge on environmental issue.