AyoAROWOJOLU
Stakeholders in the nation’s forestry sector are aggrieved with the new trend whereby government wantonly convert forest estates to cocoa reserves, saying it portends great danger to the environment.
Under the aegis of Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN), Ogun State Chapter, the stakeholders were unanimous in their conclusion that the increasing conversion of the forest reserves to cocoa reserves must be stopped as it poses grievous danger to the forestry sector in the state and also a threat to the protection of the environment.
The parley which was part of the initiatives of FAN towards appreciating the stakeholders for their support in the past, intimating them of the renewed determination at repositioning the association in the state and elicit reactions on challenges bedeviling the forestry sector was generally adjudged as the first in the history of FAN in the state .
Chairman of the Association, Dr. Kayode Ogunjobi the event, emphasized that despite the daunting challenges, the leadership of the association in the state had resolved to continuously interact, network, mobilise and engineer a synergy between all segments of the association and policy makers towards maximum sustainable protection of the remnants of the forests in the state.
He stressed that the association will not relent in carrying out its responsibilities towards the upliftment of the goals and aspirations of founding fathers of forestry in the state.
An added-value to the interaction was the presence of a three man delegate from the National Secretariat led by the National Secretary, Prof. Kayode Ogunsanwo who spoke glowingly about the activities of the association since inception and its alliance with other world environmental bodies.
The unabated activities of illegal fellers within the reserves was also brought to the front burner with earnest call for the reversal of the approval given to illegal operators known as Fletchers.
The activities of the Fletchers is believed to be antithetical to the principle of protection and sustainable management, and at the same time, not generating expected income for the government, but individuals thereby leaving the state in double jeopardy.
Puzzled by the non- existence of any afforestation program over a couple of years, the stakeholders called for the utilization of 25% Forestry Trust Fund for Afforestation Program rather than diverting it for other uses.
Government policies and implementation particularly relating to tariff payable by Timber Contractors also got a knock.
The stakeholders opined that the continuous increase in tariff while the girth of trees available for felling is decreasing, is an indirect way of sending genuine Timber Contractors out of business.
Unfortunately, when the trees with small girth are left, they are poisoned and killed by the cocoa farmers. The practice of closing the forest for some time was queried as it provides an ample opportunity for everything that is illegal in the forests, ranging from illegal operators, illegal enclaves and destruction of the plantation by cocoa farmers.
The request of Timber contractors for 10,000ha to be coppice-managed as a faster regeneration method which has been presented to government, but has not been approved, was tabled before FAN, which was also requested to ensure that only individuals that are knowledgeable in forestry, are saddled with the task of formulating and implementing policies relating to the sector
In his reaction, the Chairman , Ogun FAN, Dr Ogunjobi, lamented the decreasing attributes of Omo Forest Reserve which used to be the laboratory of all foresters in the country, continent and others.
He disclosed that the association will do its findings as he found it unbelievable that flitchers could get approval to operate in any forest, contrary to the normal standard everywhere in the world.
He commended the vision of Timber Contractors to support government through the 10,000 ha of land, promising to assist in ensuring the reality
He emphasized that some of the stakeholders that are colluding to destroy the forest should be alerted that they are committing crime against themselves.
The National Secretary of FAN, Prof. Kayode Ogunsanwo, congratulated the stakeholders for taking maximum advantage of the opportunity and promised that FAN will take up the issues raised.
He provided information on opportunities that can be harnessed by the stakeholders to further achieve their dream while encouraging them to be committed to FAN
