Edo Sawmillers commend State Govt for commencing the process of reopening the state’s forest

By Angela James,

Edo State Sawmillers Association has commended the Edo State government under the leadership of Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki for commencing the process of forest allocation to prospective timber concessionaires in the state as part of efforts to reopen the state’s forest.

Chairman of the Association, Mr Lucky Odeh made this commendation while chatting with our Correspondent in his office in Benin on efforts made by the government towards reopening the forest in the state.

Mr. Odeh said their members will comply with government’s modalities on reopening the forest as it is a step in the right direction.

Mr. Odeh who said that members are delighted because their business will soon begin urged all members to meet up with all conditions for registration as laid down by the Forestry Commission.

Chairman Forestry Commission, Edward Obiaw, had in a statement urged interested Timber Licensees, Sawmillers, Corporate Organizations and Timber Contractors to pick forest allocation application forms at the state’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainability.

The Association had earlier protested accusing the government of closing down the forests to their operations in the last seven months thereby subjecting the over 8000 people involved in the business and their dependents to hardship.

Recall that the state government had announced the prohibition of all forms of timber exploitation from Tuesday 31st August 2021, following the expiration of the three-year circle of 2018/2021 Forest Allocation in the state.