By Alltimepost.com
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has warned against illegal activities in the forests, saying that nobody has the right to trespass into the forest reserves in the state and do things that are inimical to public health, welfare, and interest.
He gave the warning while playing host to members of Okpamakhin Initiative who paid him a courtesy visit in the Government House, Benin City, during the week.
Oshiomhole acknowledged the fact that government must always be on the side of the people, but that if individuals abuse public interest, it is the duty of government to call them to order.
“I listened to your complaint and promised to look into it. I have carried out investigations thereafter, and I found that like you rightly said, the land that was given to Iyayi was purely for him to regenerate and to farm, not for him to sublet, not to talk of selling it to another party, and that party selling.
“But we have since revoked it, and I have ordered that Okomu should be stopped from planting or interfering because there is a public authority, there is a public interest.”
He noted that in addition to all the issues raised by the organization about preservation and protecting special species, and all the other interests, it is also the fact that there are laws of the land.
Oshiomhole bemoaned the illegal activities by the companies in the forest, despite government’s revocation order, adding: “we will have to review the measures we have already put in place and reinforce them, but be assured that if they are still working there, they don’t have our approval.”
He urged members of the association to convey this fact to the community, and that the Chief of Staff will cause a letter to be written to Okomu to draw their attention to government’s awareness of their activities that are contrary to previous communication.
“The constitution is very clear about ownership of land, and the fact that land is vested in the government of the state, and when the state has revoked, you can’t proceed to speculate, and do the sort of things you said the people are still doing. So, that culture of impunity is at the heart of the anti-corruption war that Buhari is fighting, and for which I am a strong subscriber and a believer.”
Earlier in his address, the spokesman of Okpamakhin Initiative, Comrade Anthony Erha said Part of the land was given many years ago to Iyayi Group of Companies.
He stated that most of the land was acquired while Governor Igbinedion was in office. “Most of the land, we got to know, was given to Iyayi for regeneration, having deforested the land through excessive logging.”
According to him, bout two and half years ago, they were surprised that that the same land and so many others were sold to A and Hartman Limited which in turn sold it to Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc for the establishment of palm plantation.
“Sir, we came here in March 2014 to protest to you and you wrote us that you were going to look into the case. Sir, your looking into that case, and even writing us has gone to show what is largely believed that you are a man of justice and that you and your government are very environment-friendly.”
Mr. Erha added: “because they destroyed all the fringes of the forest, today that forest is very fragile. Perhaps, sir, I would like to tell you some of the species and animals that are there.
“We have the one they call the white-coated monkey that has the closest relationship and same brain structure with humans, and we also have the African forest elephant that is only found in Edo State in the whole world. Now, we had those in the forest and tourists come from all over the country to see them.”
RT @Alltimepost: Oshiomhole Warns Against Deforestation In Edo State