Ogun Directs 17 Communities to Evacuate Forest Reserve in Omo
Ogun State Government has ordered 17 communities in the Ijebu North and Ijebu South local government area, to vacate the elephant conservation area in the Omo Forest Reserves.
The communities are Eseke, Tamitami, Bridge, Korede, Fatai One, Onigburugburu, Erifun, Aba Alhaja, Erimogan, Ologunna, Ori Apata, Imata, Apora, Fatai Two and Yomi Iga.
Forestry Commissioner, Engineer Taiwo Oludotun, Oludotun issued the directive at a meeting with farmers, village heads and timber contractors in his office, at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
He also ordered all illegal farmers and contractors to vacate the forest reserves, on or before January 14, 2024.
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According to the commissioner, The 17 communities are: Eseke, Tamitami, Bridge, Korede, Fatai, Sojukorodo, Etemi- Gerade, Onigburugburu, Erifun, Aba Alhaja, Erimogan, Ologunna, Ori Apata, Imaba, Apora, Fatai 2 and Yomi Iga.
Oludotun emphasized that planting cocoa seedlings within the state’s forest reserves was illegal and warned that any cocoa seedlings discovered within the forest after the exit date would face sanctions.
The state Ministry of Forestry will not tolerate illegal activities within its forest reserves. Any timber contractor involved in cocoa plantation within the reserves will have the government property hammer withdrawn, he stated.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary Mr. Timothy Olatunji urged timber contractors to cooperate with the ministry to halt unwholesome activities within the forest reserves.
Representatives of timber contractors, Kunle Kalejaye and Alhaja Ranti Bambi, expressed dismay at the violation of the government’s directive by some miscreants. They promised to support the Ministry’s efforts in curbing the illicit act.
