Ogun government said on Friday that it had impounded six lorries over illegal transportation of wood to neighbouring states for commercial purposes.
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The state Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Tunji Akinosi, at a press conference in Abeokuta, said the seizure was made on Thursday.
He said the development was part of government ‘s efforts to sanitise operations in its forest reserves.
The commissioner said the loaded lorries were intercepted and the drivers arrested around Ogedengbe control post in Ijebu-Igbo during his inspection tour to the area.
Akinosi who explained that the government would not renege on its decision to eradicate illegal felling of trees in the state, explained that the drivers would soon be prosecuted.
“The trees in the forests do not belong to individuals and so nobody can take laws into his hands by going to fell them without authorisation.
“There are laws to be followed if you want to fell trees and take them out of the reserves.
“The government is desirous in doing what is right and will continue to monitor human activities in reserves until acts inimical to the growth of the state are stopped,” he said.
The commissioner expressed displeasure at the alarming rate of reduction in economic trees in the forests due to illegal felling.
He added that stringent measures were underway to preserve the existing trees as well as to replant more.
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