Dambam Forest Lands Under Scrutiny as Committee Nullifies Allocations in Sabon Rijiya, Durwani

By Kamaluddeen Nuhu Ilelah:

The Committee on Farmland Distribution in De-reserved Forest has declared that Sabon Rijiya and Durwani forests in Dambam Local Government Area remain officially designated forest reserves, stressing that any land allocations made within the areas are invalid.

Chairman of the Committee, Comrade Sale Umar Misau, made this known during an inspection visit to allocated forest sites at Jalam, Ganjiwa, and Kaderi in Dambam LGA.

He clarified that the two forests were not part of the state government’s approved de-reservation list.

According to him, for any allocation in the affected areas to become valid, beneficiaries must formally seek and obtain executive approval from the State Governor.

Comrade Sale expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with laid-down guidelines in the approved de-reserved forest areas inspected.

However, he emphasized that the committee’s mandate is strictly to monitor processes in officially approved locations and invalidate allocations made outside the de-reserved list.

Also speaking, a member of the committee and the State Director of Forest Reserves, Dauda Bulkachuwa, stated that official records confirm Sabon Rijiya and Durwani forests remain protected reserves.

He warned that any form of encroachment into the areas would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Dambam LGA, Hon. Ilya Isa Dagauda, speaking through the Forest Officer of Dambam LGA, Malam Sa’idu Manu Jadori, explained that the disputed allocations were carried out by the previous local government administration.

Hon. Dagauda further confirmed that steps are already being taken to seek the Governor’s executive approval to regularize the allocations in line with due process.