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Kogi Government says it will soon lift the ban on logging activities across the state, according to Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, its Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday.
Osikoya said this at a stakeholders’ meeting and consultation on Environmental Concerns with Timber Contractors from Yagba East, West and Mopamuro Local Government Areas of the state, in Isanlu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that State Executive Council banned logging and other deforestation activities in the state on March 17, 2016, as away of sanitising the exercise.
“I can assure you that the ban on deforestation will soon be lifted and the forest will be reopened.
“His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, meant well for the entire people of Kogi and has promised timber contractors that the forest will reopen soon.
“However, necessary legal arrangement must be put in place before such action can be implemented.
“Tree cutters should be tree planters; if you cut down 100 trees, you must plant more than 100 trees in return, if our unborn generation is to be proud of this present generation,” she said.
Osikoya said the state government recently inaugurated an 11-man committee to review the State Forestry Law, Forestry Policy and Regulations to protect the forests and save species from being extinct.
The Chairman, Yagba Traditional Rulers/Yagba East Traditional Council, the Agbana of Isanlu, Dr Aaron Ikuborije, commended the state government for its intention to reopen the forest.
The monarch advised timber contractors to collaborate with the state government for lasting solution to the problem of logging in the state.
He, however, urged the commissioner to make copies of the forest reserves documentation available to the traditional rulers, to enable them have idea on how to educate and guide their people on the issue.
Credits: Stephen Adeleye | NAN
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