Ogun establishes three new forest ranges

Ogun State Government has established three new forest ranges in addition to existing ones, as part of its effort to curb illegal logging activities in its forest reserves across the State.

Commissioner for Forestry Chief Kolawole Lawal made this known while speaking with newsmen during an inspection tour to one of the newly established ranges located at Molafara, in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

Chief Lawal noted that creating a new range in areas such as Ijebu Igbo, Ago Iwoye and Molafara in particular became imperative to forestall illegal felling of trees and to ensure proper policing of the forest reserves so as to nip into bud the illegal exploitation of the state’s forest resources.

“It became imperative to create or establish some new forest ranges as majority of our trees are being illegally exploited and taken to neighbouring States. On our way here we caught a truck fully loaded with our trees being carted away to a neighbouring State unhammered”, Lawal said.

He declared that the State Government would not condone any act that would hamper on the commonwealth of the State particularly one that could affect revenue accruable to the Government.

He however commended the Forest Officers for their commitment and dedication to duty, charging them to ensure the State Forest Reserves were rid of illegalities.