The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Sanitation and Emergency Management, Mrs. Rosemary Osikaya, during a forestry inspection to assess the level of deforestation in the eastern part of Kogi State, noted that the Kogi State Government has placed a ban on illegal felling of economic trees and trading of sand in the state.
Osikaya, expressed concern over the level of unlawful excavation and trading of sand at Emonyokwu, Ogugu centre, Ette Ogugu and Okpa in Olamaboro Local Government Area of the state. She said the measure became necessary as it would cost the government more to repair the damage caused.
The special adviser also said that the increasing rate of deforestation and degradation of forest and soil reserve can no longer be tolerated as government places high priority on the issue of environment.
Osikaya said the original plan by the colonial masters was to ensure a safe environment for the people, and upheld that the present administration in the state would leave no stone unturned to make the environment safe.
Chief Michael Salifu, the Ochogwu of Ogugu Land, praised the State Governor, Yahaya Bello, for setting up the task force on forestry and expressed his readiness to support them.
