The Ogun State Government has issued an eviction notice to 17 communities in Ijebu-East/North Local Government Area, instructing them to vacate the elephant conservation area within the Omo Forest Reserve.
The government referred to these communities as “illegal farmers and timber contractors” and mandated them to leave the area by January 15, 2024.
The Commissioner for Forestry, Engr Taiwo Oludotun, delivered the directive during a meeting with farmers, village heads, and timber contractors in Abeokuta.
The government accused the 17 communities of encroaching on the buffer zones of the forest reserve.
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The affected communities include Eseke, Tamitami, Bridge, Korede, Fatai, Sojukorodo, Etemi-Gerade, Onigburugburu, Erifun, Aba Alhaja, Erimogan, Ologunna, Ori Apata, Imaba, Apora, Fatai 2, and Yomi Iga.
Commissioner Oludotun emphasized that planting cocoa seedlings within the state’s forest reserves is illegal. He warned that any cocoa seedlings found within the forest after the stipulated exit date would face appropriate sanctions.
The Commissioner affirmed the government’s commitment to preventing illegal activities within the forest reserves and threatened to withdraw the government property hammer from any timber contractor involved in cocoa plantation within the reserves.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Timothy Olatunji, urged timber contractors to collaborate with the Ministry to eradicate “unwholesome activities within the forest reserves.”
Representatives of timber contractors expressed dismay at the violation of government directives by some individuals and pledged to support the Ministry in curbing illicit activities.
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