Timber traders protest closure of forest reserves in Ondo

The protesters are aggrieved at the closure of the state’s forests.

Members of the Timber Traders Association in Ondo State, Wednesday, protested the closure of the state’s forests by officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The protesters, who stormed the Governor’s office to register their displeasure, accused some forest guards of extorting money from their members

The aggrieved, in their hundreds, marched round major streets in Akure before moving to the Governor’s Office barricading its main gate. They prevented several vehicles from gaining entry into various offices.

They vowed to remain at the government secretariat until Governor Olusegun Mimiko come out to address them.

The protesters alleged that some governor’s aides have been extorting money from their members and also encouraged flitchers to go about their illegal activities at the forests.

The members carried placards with various inscriptions such as, “Indian Hemp planters have taken over our forest reserve,” and “Forestry Officers are collaborators among others”.

The protesters, who also sang anti-government songs, called for removal of the Head of Task Officer, Ade Agunloye, alleging that he is compromised and has dealings with some flitchers and Indian hemp planters.

The Chairman of Akure branch of the union, William Makanjuola, said the protest was to protect the interest of their members. He added that encroachers have taken over the forest from them.

“Some intruders have ruined the business. Our forest had been taken over by this people and there is no more woods and no logs in the forest and all these natural resources had been there for almost 200 years,” he said.