Nigerians, particularly farmers, have been assured of proactive measure that would curtail Sand and Dust Storm(SDS) in the country.
The assurance was given on Thursday by the Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako at the celebration of 2024 World Internation Day for Combating SDS in Abuja.
Explaining the hazard caused by SDS, the said the natural occurrence caused removal of fertile top soil which results in loss of farm land and crops.
He said if not combated quickly, it could affect food production, economy, human health and the society at large.
Revealing some of the proactive measures already taken by the Federal Government, Dr. Salako National Agency for Great Green Wall (NGGW), Agro- Climatatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Presidential Initiative on Climate change and creation of 24 forest greening communities covering 240 hectares of land in 24 Local Government Areas in the county have put in place.
He also disclosed that the Green Heroes Project initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be implemented and driven by youths and retirees.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government has plan to collaborate with UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to share knowledge, technologies and resources to solve the impacts of SDS.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari represented by Director, Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Department in the Ministry,
Mrs. Mabel Emmanuel, explained that the nation’s proximity to the Sahara makes it experiences North Eastern winds carry dust to the Atlantic Ocean.
She noted that this led to UNGA passing a resolution to declare every 12th of July as International Day of combating SDS, to raise global awareness.