Fayose warns forest guards, releases N10m for reforestation

Following the reopening of forest reserves in the state, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has warned forest guards, revenue officers and others in the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Environment against conniving with poachers and people who cut trees illegally to deplete the state’s natural resources or deny the state of legitimate revenue.
The governor gave the warning in Ado-Ekiti at a meeting with the officers at the Governor’s Office.
In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, on Thursday, the governor said anybody caught sabotaging government’s efforts would be severely dealt with.
The governor noted that with dwindling statutory allocations from the Federal Government, the government had no option other than to look inwards to generate more income.
“If allocations from Abuja should stop coming, it does not mean that Ekiti State will be cancelled. We still have to exist as a state and our natural resources are what we need to fall back on.
“We don’t have crude oil but our forest reserves are some of the precious things we have. Anyone among you who collects money for people to cut tree illegally will be dealt with. You have put in many years into your career and I know you would not want all to go down the drain.
“To motivate you, we will provide 20 motorbikes to assist you in proper monitoring and on no account must anybody fail to remit any revenue collected as soon as you get it. Don’t go home with government money or spend it.
“Like we did during my first term in office, when we planted trees across the state, we are going to embark on the same exercise now. The sum of N10 million will be used for that purpose this year. We cannot continue to fell trees and not re-plant. Cutting down a tree is like cutting down a human life.” he said.
Fayose added that he would ensure a conducive atmosphere for the workers, urging them to also reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best.