ILORIN – Alhaji Usman Mora, the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry in Kwara, on Thursday said the state government would soon commence issuance of licence to all timber operators in the state.
Mora made the disclosure at a meeting held with the executive members of the state Timber Chainsaw Miller Association in Ilorin.
He advised timber operators to procure the newly designed registration form for the collection of licence in the ministry.
The commissioner said the form contained detailed information about individual timber operators which would ensure proper monitoring and supervision of forestry activities in the state.
Mora said that the association would be duly informed about the tariff for forestry activities when due processes had been completed.
He warned members of the association to desist from any forestry operations in Kaiama, Baruten and parts of Moro Local Governments which are prohibited areas.
Mora said a recent survey showed indiscriminate felling of trees for charcoal production, adding that the ban on charcoal production and sales was still in force.
The commissioner called for team work and collaboration between the ministry and the association in order to curb illegal activities in the state’s forest reserves.
Responding, Alhaji Olateju Laro, the Chairman, Timber Chainsaw Miller Association, Ilorin Zone 3, said illegal activities were being perpetrated by non-indigenes at Gbagibo and Kainji boundaries.
Laro called on the state government to take urgent steps to check the illegal activities.
He also pointed out that shea butter trees were mostly felled for charcoal production by the some foreigners and pledged the association’s continued support and cooperation in protecting the state’s forest reserves. (NAN)
