By Ozioruva Aliu
BENIN CITY – THE Edo State government yesterday reiterated its zero tolerance to illegal deforestation and encroachment into its High Conservation Value (HCV) areas insisting that such acts remained illegal and anyone caught in the act would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The chairman, Edo State Forestry Commission, Hon Valentine Asuen stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting with Okomu Oil Palm Company, IDH, and representatives of forest fringe communities to address reported encroachment within the HCV area of the oil palm company’s concession.
The meeting which was held at the Commission’s Headquarters in Benin City, followed a notification from Okomu Oil to the Commission regarding encroachment and destruction in parts of its HCV area.
The meeting was to investigate, verify, and profile communities and camps within the Okomu Forest Landscape.
Asuen restated the Commission’s mandate to safeguard the state’s forest estates.
He said proper documentation was sacrosanct and warned that the Commission would not condone illegal occupation of forest reserves.
“Encroachment and deforestation is prohibited in Edo State. Anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.”
He further called for aggressive tree planting and urged community members to actively participate in both replanting exercises and the protection of existing trees.
Representatives of the company presented evidence of their legal right to the concession, including Certificates of Occupancy, maps of their concession and HCV area, and other supporting documents.
The company stated that the HCV area is frequently encroached upon by forest fringe communities, which has contributed to the ongoing destruction.
The Commission granted the communities a two-week ultimatum to present evidence of lawful occupancy of the areas
The meeting concluded with an agreement for continued engagement among the Commission, Okomu Oil, IDH, and the communities to ensure sustainable forest management in the Okomu Landscape.
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