The Nasarawa State Government has banned the use and sale of charcoal in the state.  

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Aliyu Agwai, who announced this while addressing newsmen on Saturday in Lafia, said it was to protect the environment.

He warned those selling and using charcoal to desist to avoid prosecution.

He said that the process of producing charcoal is harmful to the environment as it destroys the climate and increases global warming.

Mr Agwai noted that the burning of charcoal, especially, would produce harmful emissions.

“Cutting trees can result in the loss of habitat for animal species, which can harm the ecosystems.

“Almost all the land animals and plants live in forests and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes,” he observed.

Some Nigerians have reverted to using firewood to cook because of the increase in the price of cooking gas.