Dry season: KWACReSAL Organises Statewide Sensitization Campaign on Prevention of Bushfire
The Kwara Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KWACReSAL) has concluded a Statewide sensitization campaign on the prevention of bushfire and bush burning to avert the loss of lives and properties as the dry season continues in the country.
The sensitization, which was organised in line with the directive of the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), was aimed at raising awareness on the dangers of bush burning and other related harmful environmental practices, which could cause havoc to human lives.
The grand finale of the sensitization took place at the Ilorin West Local Government Secretariat, for all the local government areas in the Kwara Central Senatorial District.The first leg of the campaign was held simultaneously in Kwara North and Kwara South, involving all the LGAs in the two senatorial districts.
The engagement, which took place in Bode Saadu, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara North was graced by the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Steering Committee of ACReSAL, and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Lade, who is the Co-Chairman of the State Steering Committee, while the campaign at Irepodun Local government Secretariat was attended by the Local Government Chairmen of the jurisdiction.
At the grand-finale of the sensitization, which brought together local government authorities, traditional leaders, religious leaders, farmers, hunters, and community-based organisations, residents of the State were advised to take on the responsibilities of fire prevention agents in their respective communities.
In his keynote address, the representative of the Commissioner for Environment and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, said bush burning has contributed significantly to various health hazards and climate change in the country.
“Some months back, we witnessed drought in some states across the country, when we were supposed to be having rainfall. That is climate change. We all saw the impacts on farmers. It destroyed what they have planted and disrupted agricultural activities generally."
“To prevent this, we all need to stop bush burning, tree felling. We have said several times that we don't want people to cut down trees in the State. But if you must cut down a single tree, you have to replace it with five new ones" he noted.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe, noted that the State is now in the heart of the dry season, hence the need for serious caution among all residents.
He urged residents to be very vigilant to avert fire outbreaks, which could occur with the slightest carelessness, hence the reason for the sensitization by the Kwara ACReSAL, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment.
He particularly called on hunters and other people who hunt for games in the bushes to be careful with setting fire on the bushes, advising smokers to always put off their cigarettes for a safer environment.
Representative of the State Fire Service, HOD, Media and Publicity, Mr. Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, said the State has recorded some fire incidents since the beginning of the dry season this year, which has claimed many lives. He revealed that bush burning has been the cause of some of the recent fire outbreaks they had responded to in the State.
“I also encourage our people to switch off their electrical appliances whenever they are not in use. It is very important to prevent fire outbreaks and save lives and properties,” he added.
The Fire service officer thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his huge investments in fire prevention gadgets, which according to him had assisted them in responding effectively to fire outbreaks in the State.
The highlight of the sensitization was the practical demonstration on fire outbreak control and management led by the Head of the Fire Prevention department of the State Fire Service, Mr. Kazeem Muhammed Bashir.
In his remarks, the Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kwara State, Alhaji Dare Abdulganiyu urged residents to refrain from bush burning and other acts that could lead to fire outbreaks. He then rolled out the contact numbers for emergency situations in the State.
Speaking on behalf of the Local Government Chairmen, the Executive Chairman of Ilorin West, Mr. Shehu AbdulRahman Ladan, thanked the Kwara State Government and Kwara ACReSAL for organising the programme.
“This is a laudable initiative. We should all come together to prevent fire disasters in our various communities. We need to prevent the loss of lives and properties,” he said through the Vice Chairman, Hon. Suliyat Oyindamola Olowu, who represented him at the event.
The messages during the sensitization programme were also passed in local languages, including Yoruba, Hausa, Nupe, Batonu, Bokobaru, among others, for better understanding.
Okanlawon Taiwo
Kwara ACReSAL
07030113331
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