The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Tuesday banned indiscriminate bush burning in rural communities and within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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Assistant Controller General, FCT Fire Service, Mr Opetunsin Julius, made this known at the launch of the Campaign against Indiscriminate Bush Burning, held at the Sakpeyi Garki (Chief of Garki)’s Palace, Abuja.
Julius called on all farming communities, royal fathers and their subjects to desist from indiscriminate bush burning to avoid fire outbreaks in the FCT.
“In case people want to adopt bush burning as an alternative approach to clearing farmlands, we advise that they should put some control measures in place to protect their properties and that of the neighbours.
“But the message still remains that we must desist from indiscriminate bush burning so that our farms and environment will be safe and protected,’’ he said.
He stressed that officers from various fire stations located within the city centre, would be visiting the rural communities to ensure compliance.
Julius noted that bush fires had over the years accounted for millions of Naira in property damage, untold hardship many and loss of lives.
“It is on this basis that the current Minister of FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has mandated the department of Fire Service to carry out the campaign against bush burning to all chiefdoms and area councils within FCT,” he said.
On his part, Malam Suleiman Abdulhameed, acting Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), said the FCT administration had put in place measures to reduce fire outbreaks in the territory.
The Sa’peyi of Garki, His Royal Highness, Dr. Usman Nga-Kupi, pledged support to government’s moves to apprehend and punish anyone found engaged in indiscriminate bush burning.
According to Nga-Kupi, he has directed all district heads and chiefs within his chiefdom, to ensure that farmers and residents do not hide under any guise to burn bushes in a manner that would put the public in jeopardy.