Kaduna residents on Friday reacted to the suspension of felling of trees for timber, firewood, charcoal.
They said already that the price of gas for cooking has risen beyond every household’s pocket, while the only alternative, firewood, and charcoal meant for low-income earners and unemployed members of society, was suspended by the state government.
Recall that on September 24, 2021, the state government announced the suspension of felling of trees for timber, firewood, and charcoal for commercial purposes across seven Local Governments; Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Chikun Giwa, Kachia, Kauru, Kajuru.
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Since the suspension, prices of gas and kerosene used for cooking have increased. Consequently, many residents in the state prefer buying bread, and in most cases, others go to nearby restaurants to satisfy themselves.
According to residents in Kajuru, Mararaba, Igabi, and Birnin Gwari Local Governments area of the state, it was difficult for them.
In Kajuru, Mallam Mohammed Garba expressed displeasure over the suspension of felling of trees. But, he said, whichever reason the government gave for its action, the lives of residents are above everything.
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“What we are passing through in Kaduna today is becoming unbearable. This is a state where there are no jobs; even laborer work doesn’t exist. Kidnapping every day. Even if you have a farm, you hardly go for fear of kidnappers. You go to market; prices keep increasing every day. Many people cannot afford to buy foodstuff any longer. Even if you buy, no fire, no firewood, no charcoal. You can’t even ask of gas because it’s above middle-level men in the state.”
Igabi Local Government Area of the state on Friday, Hajia Bilkisu Umar, who was not comfortable with the happening in the state, noted that there must be a secret plan for the suspension of felling of trees, no genuine reason for the rest of felling apart from keeping people in perpetual hunger.
“The only motive for the long suspension of felling of trees is because the government wants people to pass through serious hunger, poverty, and be subjected to slavery,” She said.
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She further noted that once one is hungry, they hardly have a say in society. Therefore, whatever comes, whatever laws are imposed, they accept because his right has been taken away, using demonic rules that dare him to hunger to deprive him of his freedom.
Alhaji Umar, who said he has lived in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state for close to 34 years, said whoever deprives someone of his legitimate means to survive in this present hardship has a plan to eliminate him.
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“Nobody is comfortable in the state as I am talking with you. The majority (if not all) find it difficult to eat because the means are no longer there. If you are fortunate, and a friend gives you rice or beans, wood, charcoal is another obstacle because you have a government that wants to protect you from bandits. Since the suspension, has bandits stopped?” he asked tearfully.
