Ogun State Government has directed Forest guards in its Forestry Ministry's Control Posts, especially those located in swampy areas to embark on aggressive planting of Bamboo and regulate the cutting of the plants by potential end users, to shore up its revenue base.
The State Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun gave the directive while addressing officers of the Ministry at Osun Gate Control Post in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area of the State
He added that the move was to encourage planting of Bamboo, alongside Timber and other produce in the State’s forest reserves and free areas.
The Commissioner stated that the Ministry would continue to guide resources in the government reserves, saying the ban on cutting and selling of flitches in and around the State was still in force.
Addressing heads of enclaves (Baales) of J1 at Ijebu-Igbo Control Post, the Commissioner charged them to be the "watch-dog" of the reserves by ensuring that all illegal occupants living among them were identified and flushed out, directing them to take head counts of all houses and people living in the enclaves and forward the report to his office.
He added that they should not go beyond apportioned land areas approved for them as the planting of Indian hemp, Marijuana, and other harmful drugs in the forest reserves are not allowed.
According to the Commissioner, “the present administration is concerned about proper maintenance of its reserves across the States and will not take any steps that can hamper indigenes of the State from carrying out their legitimate duties in the reserves”.
In their responses, the heads of enclaves pledged their support to the State government in eradicating all forms of illegalities in the reserves, imploring the Ministry to provide seedlings that could be planted in their enclaves, especially during rainy periods.
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