Deforestation: Illegal dealers invade Abia forest reserve, cut down trees

Abia State government has impounded logs of wood from dealers who illegally entered the forest reserve at Ukpo, Bende LGA to cut down trees for sale.

Conducting journalists round the impounded woods at Abia State ministry of environment on Friday, the commissioner for environment, Philemon Ogbonna explained that the woods were planted by the state government to checkmate the negative effects of climate change on Abia environment, pointing out that they were not planted for sale.

He lamented that people have been entering the forest reserve illegally and cutting down the trees for sale, thereby exposing the state to more threats of environmental challenges.

The commissioner who warned those involved in the illegalities to desist from it, vowed that henceforth, anyone caught in the act would be punished under the law.

According to him, the administration of Governor Alex Otti was not witch-hunting anybody.

She urged those who want to do business with the ministry to do the right thing by following due process.

He further said that his ministry had mandated officers in charge of the forest reserves to step up their work by preventing further destruction of the environment-friendly trees.

Deforestation: Illegal dealers invade Abia forest reserve, cut down trees