A command has been issued by the Ogun State Government for illegal occupants in its forest reserve at Area J3 in Ijebu-East Local Government Area to immediately vacate the premises and cease the unauthorized sale of government lands.
During a fact-finding visit to the reserve on Wednesday, Commissioner for Forestry Taiwo Oludotun conveyed this directive.
Emphasizing that individuals or groups with no legitimate purpose in the forest will not be permitted to remain, Oludotun underscored the importance of safeguarding all government forest reserves against criminal activities carried out by unscrupulous individuals.
He further stated that the current administration is committed to ensuring the security and proper administration of the reserves, declaring, “Ogun State government will not tolerate individuals without valid reasons to be in this reserve. Those providing refuge to criminals should desist, as the government is prepared to take stringent measures against any offenders.”
As part of the measures, he mandated a compulsory means of identification for legitimate occupants and instructed forestry officials to collect the information of residents in the area.
Prior to this, in his address, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Timothy Olatunji, encouraged local chiefs in the area to safeguard the reserves through consistent tree planting throughout the year.
He mentioned that farmers in the reserve are allowed to cultivate crops like cassava and maize, but stressed that such agricultural activities should not be detrimental to the existing trees.
In response, a representative of the local chiefs in the area, Chief Adewale Aderinwale, expressed gratitude to the commissioner and the management team for the visit, pledging their continual cooperation.