979 timber logs impounded in Edo

The logs which were recovered from riverine areas along Gelegele and Nikorogha riverine Communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the State.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Lucky Wasa disclosed this while briefing journalists on the efforts made by his Ministry to curb the activities of illegal loggers and poachers in the State.

Wasa revealed that a crack team, comprising the Ministry log control officials, concerned indigenes of Okomu, Ijaw youths from the creeks of Nilorogha, Okomu, Ijaw, Gelegele and security operatives, stormed the stretch of Nikorogha and Gelegele and discovered the theft.

He warned that the Ministry will not condone any act that could jeopardize the effort of the State government geared towards forest protection and conservation.

The Permanent Secretary assured that the Ministry will continue to protect the 59 forest reserves in the State.

He also explained that the government had put measures in place to deal with illegal activities.

According to him, “Government will not hesitate to sanction any log thief caught destroying our forest and we will sanction them in line with our forestry laws.

“As we speak to you, our men are all over the place monitoring our forest reserves. Anywhere we see any illegal activities going on in the forest, we will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute the culprits.

“The logs had been compounded as directed by the Permanent Secretary”, he said.