The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bush burning

  • PLSG cautions residents on bush burning

    The Plateau Government, through its Ministry of the Environment, on Monday cautioned residents in the state to desist from indiscriminate bush burning.

    Mr Abdullahi Abbas, the Commissioner for Environment, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos.

    He said that the act was detrimental to the environment as it helps in depleting the ozone layer.

    According to him, the act is highly detrimental to the environment.

    “Besides its depletion of the ozone layer, which leads to greenhouse effects, it also destroys the microorganisms, humus and scrubs on the top layer of the soil which gives flora to the soil and protects it from harsh climatic conditions,’’ he said.

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    Abbas said that the act would lead to loss of property and lives, especially with the onset of the harmattan winds, as the winds would spread the fire, thus making it uncontrollable.

    He also noted that the ministry has organised various sensitisation workshops to educate the populace on the ills and dangers of indiscriminate bush burning in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

    “In October, we went to each of the LGAs in the state to sensitise the people on the implications of indiscriminate bush burning.

    “The ministry also holds talks with the local government chairmen and the traditional rulers to further sensitise their subjects and residents on the detrimental effects of the act,” he said.

  • Bush, wastes burning destroy soil fertility – Ecologist

    Bush, wastes burning destroy soil fertility – Ecologist

    An ecologist, Richard Inyamkume, has advised stakeholders in the agriculture sector to address the issue of bush and waste burning, because of it adverse effect on the soil fertility.

    Inyamkume, the Senior Programme Officer, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Initiative, (CCMAI) gave the advice in an interview with our reporter in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to him, such practice destroys soil fertility and causes harm to agriculture development.

    “Bush and waste burning have negative impacts on ecosystems, particularly soil, air quality and the environment.

    “The habit of setting bushes and wastes ablaze have negative implications.

    “Apart from causing harm to agriculture, bush and waste burning also cause the destruction of physical and chemical properties of the soil,’’ Inyamkume said.

    According to him, when the fire is set on the bush, the soil moisture is seriously affected.

    “It also exposes the soil to erosion, thus when the rains start dropping, erosion becomes a threat and a major concern.

    “This is so because the soil becomes less stable when exposed as a result of the burning.’’

    The ecologist explained that air pollutants were released into the atmosphere through burning.

    This, he added, may further reduce visibility, thereby causing road and air accidents.

    “Various pollutants that are emitted from bush burning could be toxic to the human respiratory system and increase disease burdens.

    Inyamkume underscored the need for Nigeria to adopt contemporary waste recycling methods as it is being done in developed countries.

    “Our advocacy aims at enlightening citizens about the reuse of plastic bags, setting up of composite pit latrine in homes and public spaces for the collection of biodegradables,’’ he said.

    The ecologist added that it was also important that we patronise products that are made from recycled materials, so as to stem indiscriminate waste burning.

  • ‘Bush burning hurts agric production’

    An ecologist, Mr. Richard Inyamkume, says those burning bushes are retarding agricultural production.

    Inyamkume, the Senior Programme Officer, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Initiative (CCMAI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), said this in an interview in Abuja.

    “Those who set bushes on fire should know that they are deeply causing serious harm to agriculture and by extension,  our national economy.

    “People should be informed that whenever bushes are set ablaze, both physical and chemical properties of the soil are destroyed, particularly if the fire is intense.

    “It is worthy to note that essential soil nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur and others are destroyed as a result of the intense heat from the fire,’’ he said.

    The ecologist said the nutrients were supposed to make the soil fertile to support plant growth and enhance crop yields.

    Inyamkume underscored the need for citizens to collectively protect the environment so as to promote the overall well-being of the country.

    “When bushes are set ablaze, soil moisture is seriously affected.

    “It also further exposes the soil to erosion; so, when rains start, erosion becomes a major threat and concern to all of us.

    “This is so because the soil becomes less stable whenever it is exposed to the negative impact of bush burning,’’ he said

  • Landmark varsity fights bush burning

    Landmark University (LMU), Omu-Aran, Kwara State, is seeking stakeholders’ collaborations to stem bush burning, which it claims has caused great losses in most communities.

    Its Vice Chancellor, Prof Aize Obayan, made the call while flagging-off a campaign against bush burning organised by the institution in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area.

    The campaign tagged: “Stop bush burning campaign”, was organised as part of the activities to mark the 59th birthday of Pastor Faith, wife of the Chancellor of LMU. Dr David Oyedepo.

    Pastor Oyedepo is also the Vice-President, Education, Living Faith Church Worldwide.

    The event, held on Sunday, was jointly organised by Landmark University Community Development Impact Initiative (LMUCDII), College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Physical Planning and Omu-Aran Fire Service outstation.

    The sensitisation campaign, which involved distribution of hand bills to enlighten the people on the dangers inherent in bush burning, also took the team to Eleyin and Ipetu-Igbomina communities.

    A free medical outreach by the institution’s medical centre held simultaneously at Oke-Igbala Leprosy Hospital, Oke-Igbala, a suburb of Omu-Aran.

    No fewer than 200 patients benefited from free tests, diagnosis, drugs and treatment for different ailments during the exercise.

    Obayan, who decried the negative impact of bush burning on human, soil and environment, noted that the menace had become a stumbling block to the socio-economic development of the communities.

    Obayan said the crusade against incessant bush burning, especially at the grassroot, had gone beyond what government alone could shoulder.

    Obayan suggested checkmating activities of some animal hunters whom she accused of deliberately setting bush on fire and causing unquantifiable losses in the process.

    She listed the negative consequence of bush burning as depletion of soil nutrient, environmental pollution, reduction in farm yield and income, rendering farm harvest unsafe for consumption, as well as destruction of the ecosystem.

    Obayan who paid glowing tributes to the celebrant, equally described Bishop Oyedepo as a man with ‘unquantifiable affection for spiritual devotion’ with a mandate to liberate and restore the dignity of the black race.

    “These activities were geared toward honoring a woman of immense spiritual values who detest human oppression in all its ramifications,” Obayan noted as a part of her tribute to the celebrator.

  • TCN warns against bush burning around installations

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria on Thursday warned the general public against bush burning around the Power Holding Company of Nigeria installations.

    The Executive Director, Systems Operations of the TCN, Mr. Jonathan Ndiagwaralukwe, gave the warning in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

    Ndiagwaralukwe said that bush burning was having negative consequences on PHCN infrastructure and installations.

    “Our major challenge is that the harmatan breeze spreads fire faster and such fire can destroy the infrastructure that was built by the government for the benefit of the people.

    “We call on people to report to the police anybody who engages in bush burning around PHCN’s installations,’’ he said.

    Ndiagwaralukwe told NAN that the Kainji, Egbim, Ugheli and National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) in Olorunshogo, which will come on stream very soon, would produce a total of 300 MW of electricity.

    He said that the 300mw that would be generated would be used to stabilise the nation’s power supply.