Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has cautioned community leaders to desist from encroaching forest and reserves to check deforestation.
Mohammed stated this on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the groundbreaking of 25 kilometres Mainamaji – Pali – Gwaram access road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.
He urged the people to utilise the forest resources for crop and livestock production as well as profitable ventures.
The governor said the road project would be executed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), funded by the World Bank, French Development Agency, the Federal Government and the 19 participating state governments.
The road project, he said, would open up the area and boost economic activities, adding that, “the area is blessed with natural resources attracting investors.
“No fewer than 200 youths will be employ as truck drivers, skilled and casual workers while many others will learn welding,” he said.
According to Mohammed, a cement factory will be establish at Gwana district, adding that his administration would continued to initiate viable infrastructure development projects, to check rural – urban drift.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Rural Development and Special Duties, Farouk Mustapha, said the state government had contributed N2.5 billion counterpart fund, to facilitate smooth execution of the project.
