Association to sensitize charcoal producers on afforestation

The National Charcoal Producers, Dealers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (NACPDEAN) is set for a consultative meeting with government agencies to sensitize charcoal stakeholders on importance of afforestation.

The association made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Mr Babatunde Edu, National President of the body, the meeting is to sensitize stakeholders on the effects of deforestation, the benefit of afforestation and innovative processing procedures to boost the forest resources in Nigeria.

“This is with emphasis on the association trust policy on issuance of Afforestation Pass and Charcoal Lifting Rights by the National Association for compliance of stakeholders to streamline the sub-sector in furtherance to the association’s aims and objectives.

“NACPDEAN is to ensure compliance of stakeholders on

afforestation to mitigate climate change.

“We also exist to fast-track growth and development of the sector and to increase the contribution of the sub-sector to the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Edu also noted that the event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, 16th March 2023, at the Presken Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, by 10a.m. with the Theme: “Sustainable Afforestation & Reforestation for Nigeria’s Posterity.”

“All Exporting Stakeholders in the charcoal sub-sector are invited to the consultative meeting with the government and also shipping companies, freight forwarders, and terminal operators will be in attendance,” he said.

NAN also reports that the event will be in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMOE), Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and Nigerian Export Promotion Council, among others. (NAN)

HYPPADEC begins 160 housing units for affected flood victims in Niger communities

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has officially flagged off the construction of 160 detached 2 bedroom flats at the resettlement center of Muregi and Ketso communities in Niger state.

The ground breaking ceremony was held at New Muregi resettlement center in Mokwa local government of the state, and officials said that the building will have toilet and kitchen, in which Muregi will have allocation of 120 units and Ketso will get 40 housing units respectively.

The Managing Director HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa expressed concern over the economic and environmental disaster experienced over the years due to perennial flooding that has caused destruction of lives and property in the affected communities.

Sadiq Yelwa noted that the projects would be delivered as planned and in standard within the duration of 3 months period because sufficient funds of 30% will be released in each trenches to ensure completion for occupation by 12 communities, adding that each building will cost N4.8 million each.

Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state has assured of full support to the HYPPADEC for its interventions in tackling various challenges facing the affected flooding areas, decried that four years ago about 150 Communities were flooded in Niger state.

Polls: Shehu Sani tasks security on free elections

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Aformer lawmaker, that represented Kaduna Central in the upper Chamber, Senator Shehu Sani, has warned security agents in the state to allow free governorship and State House of Assembly elections on in the rescheduled elections.

Sani, a social activist stated this after security agents in the state on Tuesday arrested the Media Director of the Kaduna State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Committee, Hon. Saidu Adamu, who is a former commissioner in the state.

According to Senator Sani, the security agents also arrested two other youth leaders identified as El Abbas Muhammed and Talib Muhammed.