The Kano State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of tree felling activities within the premises of the state-owned Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), while also initiating measures aimed at repositioning the station through digital transformation and operational reforms.
The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during an unscheduled visit to the television station. The development was contained in a statement signed by Ameen Kabeer Yassar, Director of Information, Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.
The government intervention follows growing public concerns over reports of tree felling within the station’s premises and the environmental implications associated with the development.
According to the statement, Waiya expressed concern over a viral video showing trees being cut down within the station and directed that no tree should henceforth be removed without due consultation and approval from relevant government agencies responsible for environmental management and forestry regulation.
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He said indiscriminate depletion of natural resources, particularly trees, runs contrary to the environmental protection and climate change policies of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“Henceforth, any tree cutting within the premises must be done with official permission after due consultation with officials of the relevant government agency,” the commissioner stated.
Waiya noted that environmental preservation remains a priority of the Kano State Government and warned against actions capable of undermining ongoing efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation.
The government’s intervention comes amid conflicting claims over the extent of tree felling at the station. While residents and some staff members alleged that several mature trees were removed from the premises, ARTV management had earlier maintained that only a few trees were cut down for security reasons.
Beyond the environmental concerns, the commissioner also raised issues regarding the operational performance of the station.
According to him, assessments conducted by the ministry revealed that ARTV had fallen short of viewers’ expectations due to stale programme content, weak news production quality and inadequate digital presence.
He observed that while many contemporary television stations now offer real-time audience engagement and digital viewing opportunities, ARTV has remained largely conservative in its operational approach.
“The situation runs contrary to the character of the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration, which believes and thrives on digital and modern operational practices in every sector of human development in the state,” he said.
Waiya stressed that the station’s management must become more proactive in utilising budgetary allocations for transformational projects, particularly staff training, capacity building and digital infrastructure development.
He disclosed that he would submit a special report to Governor Yusuf recommending targeted intervention to facilitate comprehensive digital upgrades and enhance the station’s operational capacity.
The commissioner also charged the management of ARTV to strengthen transparency, accountability and effective personnel management to improve service delivery.
Speaking during the visit, the Deputy Managing Director of ARTV, Malam Idris Abba Musa, acknowledged that the organisation faces several operational challenges, including bureaucratic bottlenecks, inadequate staff training and limited digitisation of its facilities.
He expressed optimism that government intervention would assist the station in overcoming the challenges and improve its competitiveness within the broadcasting industry.
