The Ogun State Government has ordered Illegal farmers and timber contractors operating around the elephant conservation area in Omo Forest Reserve, in Ijebu- East/North Local Government Area of the State to vacate the area on or before January 15, 2024.
Penpushing reports that Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, gave the order during a meeting with farmers, village heads and timber contractors at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, disclosing that 17 communities were identified to have encroached on the buffer zones of the Forest Reserve.
The Commissioner identified the 17 communities are Eseke, Tamitami, Bridge, Korede, Fatai, Sojukorodo, Etemi- Gerade, Onigburugburu, Erifun, Aba Alhaja, Erimogan, Ologunna, Ori Apata, Imaba, Apora, Fatai 2 and Yomi Iga, pointing out that planting cocoa seedlings within the state’s forest reserves was illegal, warning that any cocoa seedlings found within the forest reserve after the exit date would be duly sanctioned.
“The State Ministry of Forestry will not fold its arm and allow illegalities to continue within its forest reserves, any timber contractor found to be involved in cocoa plantation within the reserves, the government property hammer of such contractor will be withdrawn’’, he said.
Penpushing further reports that in his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Timothy Olatunji, called on timber contractors to cooperate with the Ministry to put an end to the unwholesome activities within the forest reserves.
The representatives of timber contractors, Hon. Kunle Kalejaye and Alhaja Ranti Bambi, in respond expressed dismay at the violation of government’s directive by some miscreants, promising to complement the Ministry’s efforts in curbing the illicit act.
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