Desertification has forced several communities in Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State to flee their ancestral lands.
Baba Aji, the local government chairman, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State in northeastern Nigeria, on Friday.
He said the dunes had taken over land and homes in communities, making the areas uninhabitable for both humans and animals.
“Desertification has forced many people to leave their places of origin. Some of them are now refugees in the village of Kaska.
“When you go to the affected villages you will see that the dunes continue to advance, getting closer to the houses.
“This situation forced some of them to migrate to the town of Nguru.
Other areas affected by the sand dunes are Tulo-Tulo and Bula-tura, two towns bordering the Republic of Niger.
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“Our people are facing the threat of extinction,” Aji said.
The president expressed concern that the dunes would soon encroach on an oasis, a vital source of water in the area, unless urgent measures were taken to stop the threat.
“Sand dunes are encroaching on the oases, presenting a beautiful image amidst the harsh conditions of the desert.
“It is a clear and present danger to people's economic livelihood.
“During the dry season, sugar cane, tomatoes, cassava, peanuts and even potatoes are grown in the oases. All of these activities are now under threat.
“If the oases are allowed to dry up, hundreds of people will lose their jobs and be condemned to economic hardship,” he said.
Mr. Aji noted that the efforts made by local and state governments, the Great Green Wall project and non-governmental organizations were good but did not produce the desired result.
The President therefore called on the Federal Government to establish protective belts in the area to prevent the sand dunes from growing.
“I call on the Ecological Fund office and the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency over desertification in Yusufari Local Government.
“We need protective barriers to prevent the sand dunes from advancing. I propose a sand dune programme that involves planting trees to protect the land.
“The fixing of sand dunes must be carried out quickly to prevent the dunes from invading the oasis,” the head of the LG stressed.
Regarding the state’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme, he praised Governor Mai Mala Buni for allocating mini agricultural machinery and other agricultural inputs to the area.
“The equipment, fertilizers and improved seeds delivered to farmers arrived on time, when they were needed most.
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“With the timely distribution of inputs, we will have a bumper harvest this year, Insha'Allah.
“However, due to torrential rains this year, we suffered flooding and erosion, which led to the collapse of buildings and the destruction of agricultural products.
“We have sent a delegation from the governor and SEMA to the site where the buildings collapsed and we expect their help at any time.
(YAYA)