Yemi Olakitan
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has called on the government at all levels not to handle the damage caused by deforestation with kid gloves.
This was contained in a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ilejemeje Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly Hon. Princess Iyabo Fakunle-Okiemen at the Plenary held at the Assembly Complex in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
Hon. Okiemen described deforestation as an alarming environmental issue that poses severe threats to human existence as a result of the loss of valuable economic trees.
The motion which was seconded by the lawmaker representing Ikere constituency II in the house Hon. Tunde Idowu said the dangers of deforestation cannot be overemphasised, he recalled the era in the history of Nigeria when Ekiti was rated the highest producer of economic trees, particularly in the southwest.
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Hon. Okiemen, an environmentalist, reiterated that illegal loggers have done evils more than good in the state and that it required collaborative efforts from the government at all levels and the residents to checkmate the menace of deforestation in the state.
Moreover, Hon. Okiemen, who was a former commissioner for the environment used the occasion to highlight some of the dangers of deforestation as the permanent elimination of unique flora and fauna species, disrupting intricate ecological balance and reducing biodiversity within the state.
However, she urged other lawmakers to lead by example by taking the message to their respective constituency and enlightening the residents on the dangers of deforestation in our society, she sensitized the lawmakers on the importance of every 21st March of the year which was designated as a World tree Day, therefore, enjoined them to make the day an eventful one by planting 5 trees each on that day.
Other members who spoke in support of the motion were Hon. Yomi Ayorinde, Ido OsI 2,
Hon Abimbola Solanke Moba 1 and Hon. Femi Akindele Irepodun / Ifelodun 1, commended the Mover of the motion and solicited the support of the government and residents of the state.
The motion moved by the former Commissioner for Environment and Chairman House Committee on Environment & Natural Resources, Hon. Iyabo Fakunle- Okiemen would be the thirteenth motion moved by the seventh Assembly within the last six months.
