The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it is to plant 20,000 trees in selected districts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to maintain a good ecosystem in the city.

The Director of Parks and Recreation of the FCTA, Isaiah Ukpana, stated this during the tree planting exercise in Wuye District on Tuesday.

Mr Ukpana said that the exercise was a continuation of the tree planting campaign in the three districts of Guzape, Wuye, and Katampe Extension, which began during the 2023 World Environment Day.

He explained that trees in the areas were vanishing due to developmental activities, and the tree planting exercise is an attempt to replace the lost trees to maintain a serene environment.

“This is also part of efforts to encourage tree planting, which should be the responsibility of everyone,” he added.

He warned residents against the indiscriminate felling of trees without permission, as there were regulations guiding the felling of trees.

The director warned that anyone who fell a tree without permission would be penalised.

He emphasised the need for a massive awareness campaign on the importance of trees in the environment, with a view to encouraging people to plant trees and not cut them down.

Mr Ukpana also said that the department was working with some non-governmental organisations to plant more trees in the capital city, particularly fruit trees.

One of the partners, Aliyu Ahmed, the Chairman of ZFH, a charity foundation working on environment and ecosystem mediation, expressed concern about how the ecosystem in Abuja was being eroded and abused.

Mr Ahmed said that the NGO and the Director of Parks and Recreation have also concluded plans to plant fruit trees in major parks and gardens in Abuja.

This, according to him, will help to rebuild the battered ecosystem and maintain a serene environment in the capital city.

(NAN)