Ondo govt vows to protect forest reserves
By Bisola Adeyemo
The Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has vowed that his administration would continue to ensure that all forest reserves were protected and preserved for the benefit of the people in the 18 local government areas of the state.
Akerodolu stated this on Tuesday at the 43rd annual conference of Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN) in Akure, the state capital.
While announcing the amount spent so far to ensure forests is preserved from illegal activities, Akeredolu disclosed over N500 million had been spent on forestry development in the state in the past five years.
Akeredolu, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the amount was expended on conservation and preservation of state forest estate, regeneration programme, regular anti-encroachment drives, law control, and protection.
He emphasized that securing the forest estate would help promote communal peace in the country.
“It is a known fact that when the forest is well secured, forest resources will be preserved for the use of our people,” he said.