The Ogun State Government is lamenting over N23billion revenue loss to illegal activities of enclaves, including cocoa farmers who encroached on its forest reserves and destroyed economic trees
Illegal enclaves according to the State Ministry of Forestry, are encroaching on 14 percent of the reserves which is equivalent to over 9,470hectares of land where over 10.5million trees would have been planted
Disturbed by the ugly trend, the State Government vowed to eject not less than100 illegal enclaves (villages),from J1, J3, J4 and J6 forest reserves, and allow only 41 legal enclaves established by the State's law, to remain in the reserves .
The State Commissioner for Forestry, Hon. Tunji Akinosi, announced the government's decision to eject illegal enclaves, while speaking with newsmen during the commemoration of the 2021 International Day of Forests, with the themed: "Forest Restoration: a path to recovery and well - being", held at the State's Secretariat, Oke-mosan, Abeokuta.
Akinosi said in restoring and securing the State's forests, all illegal activities including encroachment, tree felling, illegal flitches and the discovery of an illegal bridge in Alaagan village which links Ondo State, must be stopped, s
He revealed that over two billon naira would be needed by the government to replant and restore 1,000 hectares of an encroached and deforested area.
His words,"People must assist the Government to stamp out Illegalities if they want any good thing to come out of the State's forests, as huge revenue is lost due to encroachment and unlawful expansion by people who engage in illegal farming after destroying economic trees planted by the government".
The Commissioner asked theTimber Contractors, Sawmill Associations, Farmers and Village Heads (Baales) in the legal enclaves to support government's efforts on forests restoration drive
Akinosi urged Stakeholders to plant more trees for economic growth and ecosystem development of the reserves.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Lateef Benson, had earlier enjoined people in the State to stop cutting trees without any regard for the environment.
He stressed the importance of tress in protecting the surroundings against climate change.
Also speaking, the Baale of Orisunbare Village, Rev. John Oyeyemi, said that the present administration's drive to attain a sustainable forest management was unmatched in the history of the State
He pledged the support of all legal village Heads to the government's move, aimed at removing all illegal enclaves and stop unlawful village expansions in the forest reserves.
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