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By Adamu IMAM, Bauchi
The Bauchi state government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents through proactive measures, with the commencement of the removal of old trees along Adamu Jumba Street within the metropolis.
Following the state governor’s approval to cut down old trees that have died and pose a danger to road users, especially with the 2026 rainy season approaching, environmentalists warn that windstorms can also cause havoc.
The exercise was flagged off by the Commissioner for the Ministry, Danlami Ahmed Kawule, with support from ministry officials, particularly those attached to the Forestry Department.
The commissioner said it had become imperative and expedient to take action in order to save innocent lives that use the road.
“We discovered that some of the trees are dead and dried up. Therefore, their continued standing poses a great danger to those plying the road, especially during this rainy season,” he said.
“Wind can pull them down and cause havoc to the people because, as they stand, they constitute a nuisance and danger to the public.”
Noting that the trees are historical monuments to the existence of Bauchi State, “Most of them are above 70 years old. They were planted during the colonial era, when Bauchi was the headquarters of the Province and Native Authority.”
Kawule said, “we are saddened to cut down the trees. Even His Excellency, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Executive Governor, was reluctant to give approval, but we had to convince him to consent.”
“You know that in Bauchi State, anyone caught felling a tree will go to jail, so we had to wait for the governor’s approval before embarking on the exercise,” he added.
He explained that the affected trees had their roots cut off during the reconstruction of the road a few years ago, saying, “Our experts did everything possible to salvage them, but it was not possible.”
According to him, “The trees were attacked by pests, termites, and fungi, leading to their drying up and becoming dead. We will take them down and reclaim the spots.”
He, however, assured that there would be replacements for the trees in line with the policy of the present administration, which prioritizes tree planting to mitigate climate change in the state.
He pointed out that the government would not plant economic trees anywhere near the road because of the dangers attached to them.
Kawule assured that every point where the trees would be cut would be redesigned and well decorated in order to keep the memory of the trees alive in the minds of the people.
He then appealed to road users along the street to exercise patience and cooperate with the workers while the exercise lasts, assuring that it would be completed within a short period.
