Timber merchants in Ogun State have expressed concern about the incessant destruction of economic trees by illegal cocoa farmers in Omo forest reserves J4 in Ijebu Ode local government area of the state.
The merchants under the auspices of Ijebu Sawmillers and Timber Contractors Association lamented that the state government is losing over N500 million annually as the illegal cocoa farmers uses chemicals to kill most of the economic trees planted with World Bank funding after which they plant cocoa and banana.
They alleged that 90 percent of the illicit cocoa farmers that commit crimes in the forest reserves of Ijebu East LGA are foreigners from states such as Benue, Edo, Kwara, Osun, Nasarawa and Ondo.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, Aliu Ibrahim who disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday, explained that the state has lost eight out of nine forest reserves to the illegal activities and is left with just the Omo forest reserves J4.
He said, “They are so ruthless to the extent that they are using chemicals to kill most of these economic trees planted with World Bank funding after which they will plant their cocoa and banana.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun must come to our aid, he should order these illegal farmers out of the government forest reserves, Ondo State did same and they have been able to sanitise their forest reserves.”
The Secretary, Board of Trustees of the association, Opeoluwa Idowu who stated that the illegal cocoa farmers are armed, urged Governor Abiodun to come to their aid.
“As an association we have equally planted these economic trees in about 15 hectares and these farmers have also been destroying them, they sometimes mobilise people to attack us, they are always armed with all kind of dangerous weapons. All of these criminal acts can’t continue as if we don’t have a government.
“Across Ogun State, it is only in Ogun East senatorial district, that is Ijebu and Remo land that we still have bit of thriving timber business and it is because of this Omo forest reserves that is still serving us, other forest reserves have been taken over by these illegal cocoa farmers. We really don’t want this to happen to this our collective heritage in Omo forest.
“And let me tell you that the state government is losing over N500m annually to the activities of these illegal cocoa farmers who are predominantly foreigners.”
The group’s secretary, Funmileye Akinukawe, praised Abiodun and the Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, for their previous efforts to monitor the activities of the illegal cocoa farmers, noting that the issue has become more dangerous as they control more than 90 percent of the Omo forest reserves.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Forestry, Engr Taiwo Oludotun said that the government is aware of the situation and is already taking steps to address the challenge.
Ogun losing N500m annually to illegal cocoa farmers – Timber dealers cry out
