FCTA to Replace Trees of Enterolobium Species for Infrastructure Damage

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has announced its plans to eradicate desert trees which have caused damage to public infrastructure throughout the territory.

Officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration have disclosed that trees of the Enterolobium species, which have deep roots and are suitable for arid regions, were mistakenly planted during the reforestation processes taking place around the development of the capital city.

Engr. Ferdinand Ezeoha, the Director of Engineering Services for the Federal Capital Development Authority, spoke  at an event where Women in Energy, Oil and Gas donated trees to the FCT.

He acknowledged that while tree planting has been an ongoing part of infrastructure provision for the city, the selections of trees had been incorrect from the start.

Ezeoha pointed out that certain trees that were planted during the early stages of the FCT’s development were damaging the asphalt of roads in Maitama and Jabi districts, necessitating their immediate removal and replacement.

In his words, “At the beginning of Abuja, unfortunately, the kind of trees that were planted are now destroying our infrastructure. If you go to places like the Maitama district and Jabi district, you would see that a lot of trees are now affecting our asphalt. There was a mistake right from the beginning on the type of trees being planted and we’ve decided to correct that now, by planting trees in which their roots will not damage our infrastructure.

“Tree planting has been part of the infrastructural provision for the city., which is why there is an area known as the Green Verge between the asphalt area and the walkway for planting trees.”

It has been observed that Enterolobium trees, which were planted after the deforestation of the Federal Capital Territory, are no longer suitable for the development of a major city such as Abuja.

Isaiah Ukpana, the Director of Parks and Recreation FCT, is hopeful that the trees donated by the women’s group will contribute to the FCTA’s goal of replacing 20,000 trees in Katampe, Wuye, and Guzape districts.

“We started this exercise during the World Environment Day to combat the certification, then we proceeded to Wuye district to start the tree planting and now we are in the Guzape district to continue the exercise.

“We hope to plant 20,000 trees in the 3 selected districts, Wuye and Guzape districts, together with Katampe extension and we have made a lot of progress in this regard because where we are now is a continuation of that effort.”

The administration has a strategy in place to ensure that the newly planted trees will be protected from human and environmental forces.

“We have water tankers to water the plants, we also made provision for chemicals that will be applied and we always encourage residents to love trees because they bring the people together. Finally, We would continue to enlighten citizens on the need to protect trees and not to destroy them.”

Agro Nigeria / Foluke Ibitomi