Timber Merchants Jubilate As Akeredolu Lifts Ban On Forestry,Activities Resume On Monday
Collins Dupson,12th November,2021
Timber Merchants under the auspices of Ondo State Timber Trade Organisations (OSTTO) were full of joy as the State Government lift the ban on forestry activities.
It will be recalled that the State Executive Council, as part of its conclusions at its meeting on the 31st of August, 2021, placed a ban on all activities in the forests including logging and flitching.
Members of OSTTO staged a peaceful protest three days ago where they narrated the hardship the banning have on their means of livelihood.
The State Government through the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo made the disclosure in a Press Statement released, informing them of government decision to lift the ban beginning from Monday, 15th of November.
It reads:
This is to announce to the general public, especially stakeholders in the forestry sector that the ban placed on activities in the State Forest Reserves has been lifted with effect from Monday, November 15, 2021.
The measure was aimed at bringing sanity to the sector even as it was meant to engender enhanced revenue generation for the State.
Ten weeks since the ban, Government’s internal and administrative measures emplaced were carefully monitored with a view to charting a more enduring path towards the effective utilisation of the State’s vast forest resources for the general good.
These mechanisms and measures are undoubtedly, effective enough to drive Government’s vision for the sector. The review of the ban and subsequent approval by Mr Governor to lift same, therefore, comes on the heels of an appreciable level of compliance on the part of those saddled with responsibilities during the ban. So far, the measures have yielded some commendable results.
All permit holders as well as other legitimate stakeholders are hereby enjoined to commence their activities ONLY from the approved date, Monday 15th November, 2021. State Forest Officers are equally, further mandated to ensure strict adherence to approved guidelines in the discharge of their duties for enhanced productivity.
