The Federal Capital Territory Administration  (FCTA) through its Department of Parks and Recreation over the years weekend hinted that felling trees attract a fine of one hundred thousand Naira (N100,000) per tree.

The Director of the Department,Hajia Riskatu Abdulazeez gave this hint during a tour of some sites where blossoming flamboyant trees are planted within the city centre, over the weekend.

While adding that trees are not just planted for environmental protection alone,  but for beautification and aesthetic appeal. 

According to her, it is an offence for residents to cut down trees planted in both private and public compounds without seeking permission from FCT Administration. 

She, therefore, said that anyone caught cutting down grown up   trees both in private compound and in public places will pay a fine of N100,000 per tree. 

Abdulazeez , however, noted that once trees planted in private houses have grown,  it has become a  public property that requires the permission of government before it can be removed. 

She further stated that, after any tree is cut down with the permission of the Department, it is also mandatory that two trees are planted as replacement for each tree removed. 

She further explained that even estate developers who remove public trees to pave ways for their projects,  are also compelled by laws to pay and  replant the trees.

According to her, ” Cutting down of trees is not allowed in the city, we have a penalty. The policy stipulates that if you plant a tree in your compound, once it is grown, it is no more your tree, it has become a public property.

” Before such trees are cut down,  the permission of the Department of Parks and Recreation must be sought. Anyone who cuts down tree illegaly,  depending on the size  and age of the tree , such person will pay a fine of N100,000 per tree and will also be compelled to plant a minimum of two trees as replacement. 

” Even when permission is granted for anyone to legally remove trees, such trees must be replaced with two trees and if there is no space within the place where the trees were removed, the Department will provide a place where the trees can be planted. 

 ” As for the housing developers who have been cutting down trees to pave ways for their construction, most of them apply for permission to remove trees and they are also made to pay before removing the trees”, Abdulazeez added.

She further stated that, government was making efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change on the city and won’t allow reckless actions that can further endanger life.

” Trees in general has enormous benefits and importance  for human being.  The oxygen we breath is from the trees, we breath out carbon dioxide which the trees use to live. 

” Apart from the life the trees give us, it also douses noise it reduces glare and mitigates the effects of climate change. We are all feeling the effects of climate change , it is attributed to the rate at which we cut down trees, leading to deforestation. 

Abdulazeez noted that nature has made human being to be dependent on trees for oxygen while the trees also depend on human being for carbon dioxide.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has reiterated the commitment of FCT Administration to continue to work closely with the Nigerian Armed Forces and all other security agencies for the continuous security of the FCT and the safety of its residents.

He made this known when he received on a courtesy visit a delegation from the Defence Headquarters Garrison in his office, yesterday.

 
IAccording to a statement made available to Newsfocusng by his Chief Press Secretary, I Mr Anthony Ogunleye stated that , Abuja has been secure due to the close working relationship between the heads of the various military formations and other security agencies in the FCT over the years.

The minister thanked them for the good working relationship between them as members of FCT Security Committee and within the various security task forces that they operate in.

The statement reads in bits , “we will work very closely with you and your offices under the various task forces that you operate, as well as the main Security Committee which meets regularly”

 
“Usually in that Committee, as you know, we have the representative of the political leadership at the Area Council level, the traditional leadership of the FCT Council of Chiefs as well as the religious organizations as represented by CAN and National Mosque Committee”.

 
The Minister, however reminded his guests that Abuja occupies a very unique position as the capital city of Nigeria, its major political center, and the headquarters of its armed forces and diplomatic corps.

 
Earlier, the Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison Maj. Gen. Preye Fakrogha said that he was in the FCTA on a familiarization visit following his appointment.

He said that he had visited other Security agencies within the Territory and pledged to work closely with all of them in line with the leadership philosophy of the Chief of Defence Staff.

 
He said it was in demonstration of this, that the heads of the other military formations in the FCT had accompanied him on the visit to the FCTA and assured that all the security agencies in the FCT will work in synergy so that the security of the nation’s capital will be guaranteed.

Accompanying the Garrison Commander to the FCTA were Army HQ Garrison Commander, Maj. Gen. Sanusi Dahiru, Commander, Naval Unit Abuja, Navy Commodore Sulaiman D. Ibrahim and Commander, 053 HQ, NAF Camp, Abuja, Air Commodore Christopher Akpa.

In attendance at the event were the Hon. Minister of State of the FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijanni Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bahir Mai-Bornu, the Director, Department of Security Services, FCTA Mr Adamu Gwary and other senior staff of the FCTA.