ABUJA — MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero, is set for war with the management of the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc over what he described as indiscriminate felling of trees in the nation’s capital city, just as he has threatened to sanction them over the act.

Aliero who noted that the act was totally unacceptable to the government and even in line with international laws, stressed that the FCTA spent money, time, energy, among others in nurturing them to maturity for PHCN to just wake up and cut them without permission from the FCTA.

The Minister also disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for the introduction of payment of fees by residents on the use of access roads in the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the administration must source for revenue as it can no longer rely on only government’s revenue, just as he stressed that people must pay for services they enjoy.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the Director, Parks and Recreation, Isa Shauibu said if the act persisted, the administration would be left with no option than to invoke the provision of the law against the PHCN.

The PHCN had recently embarked on massive felling of some environmental friendly trees which, according to it, have been hindering its installations in the Asokoro and other districts of the territory.

Shauibu who noted that the Minister had been worried over the development, said PHCN was not in any way authorised to carry out the felling of the trees.

“The Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has been carrying out unauthorised trees felling against our normal rules and regulations. What we expected from them is to report to the department and they explain that they want to carry out certain activities. They have to be guided because there are standard ways of felling trees rather than go to the base of the tree and cut it off.

“Some of these trees may even be lost because they may be exposed to infections and eventually may not grow again. There is a compelling need for them to always draw our attention,” he said.

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