By Adejoke Adeleye/Abeokuta
Ogun Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oladotun, has promised to continue to sensitise members of the public on the need to stop deforestation activities in the State’s forest reserves.
According to Oludotun, activities like illegal mining, cutting of flitches, encroachment by Fulani herdsmen and killing of wildlife, among others are contributing to deforestation in the state.
The Commissioner who made the promise while playing host to officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment added that his agency would not relent until the illegal activities in the State forest reserves were eradicated.
Oludotun who identified bad roads and communication networks, large land mass and the menace of Fulani herdsmen, among others as factors hindering effective monitoring of the forests, called on the Federal Government to complement the State government’s effort in proffering solutions to the challenges.
He said, ‘’apart from degrading the forest reserves, the illegal dwellers have chased away wild animals which had in the past served as tourist attractions to both local and international visitors. However, the assistance of the military and paramilitary personnel had brought these unwholesome acts to the barest minimum”.
Oludotun stated that the Ministry would approach the House of Assembly for a bill to review and update the state forestry law for immediate implementation.
He also implored the Federal Government to forward enabling laws to the State Houses of Assembly for quick passage and implementation, and for the armed forces to keep regularly embark on special visits to forest areas throughout the country.
On afforestation, the Commissioner stated that the Ministry had allocated land to some timber contractors for the planting of trees, while a request for seedlings had been forwarded to the Federal department of Forestry.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi appreciated the Ogun state team, expressing hope that the visit would be beneficial to all stakeholders.
The leader of the delegation and an Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Alaba Adzandeh said the team was in the State in response to a request for assistance on deforestation issues being experienced by some States and over-exploitation of natural resources in forest reserves.
Adzandeh assured that the Ministry would collaborate with the State government to achieve the common goal of preserving its forest resources.
