Unchecked Deforestation Threatens Abuja’s Future- Bankole

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

An environmentalist and member of the All Progressives Congress National Working Committee, Aare Tolu Bankole, has decried indiscriminate tree felling in the Federal Capital Territory, warning that the trend poses serious environmental and safety risks to residents of Abuja.

Bankole said Abuja was originally designed as a modern city where urban development would coexist with nature through the preservation of green belts, tree-lined avenues and protected landscapes aimed at ensuring ecological balance and climate stability.

He noted that for decades, the city’s rich vegetation helped regulate temperatures, reduce erosion, improve air quality and create a healthier urban environment, making Abuja one of the most organised and environmentally conscious capitals in Africa.

According to him, the growing destruction of trees for the installation of billboards, signages and streetlights is gradually eroding the city’s environmental heritage and exposing residents to harsh weather conditions, rising temperatures, dust storms and dangerous wind currents.

Bankole warned that if the situation continues unchecked, Abuja could face long-term environmental consequences, including flooding, climate instability, erosion and worsening public health conditions.

He stressed that urban development and environmental preservation can coexist through proper planning, noting that cities such as Kigali, Singapore and parts of Lagos have continued to modernise without sacrificing their green infrastructure.

The APC chieftain called on relevant authorities to immediately halt reckless tree felling across the capital and enforce stricter environmentalregulations for contractors, developers and advertisers operating within the city.

He also advocated comprehensive reforestation efforts and mandatory environmental impact assessments for all urban infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory.

Bankole further urged residents to take active responsibility in protecting the environment, describing the preservation of Abuja’s environmental master plan as a collective duty owed to future generations.