Crackdown On Deforestation: Abia State Impounds Illegally Harvested Wood

Crackdown On Deforestation: Abia State Impounds Illegally Harvested WoodThe Abia State government has seized logs of wood from individuals who unlawfully entered the Ukpo forest reserve in Bende LGA to cut down trees for sale.

On Friday, the commissioner for environment, Philemon Ogbonna, guided journalists through the seized wood at the Abia State Ministry of Environment. Ogbonna explained that these trees were planted by the state government to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on Abia’s environment and were not intended for commercial purposes.

He expressed concern over the illegal entry into the forest reserve and the cutting down of trees, which exacerbates environmental challenges in the state.

The commissioner warned those involved in these illegal activities to cease immediately, vowing that anyone caught would face legal consequences.

He clarified that Governor Alex Otti’s administration is not targeting anyone unfairly but urged those wishing to do business with the ministry to adhere to proper procedures.

Additionally, Ogbonna stated that his ministry had instructed officers responsible for the forest reserves to intensify their efforts to prevent further destruction of the environmentally beneficial trees.