The Edo State Government has 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.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Lucky Wasa, in a statement, urged stakeholders in the forest industry to ensure compliance to the directive as violators would be sanctioned in accordance with the Forestry Law of the state.

The statement reads, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Timber Licensees, Sawmillers and Timber Contractors that the three-year circle of 2018/2021 Forest Allocation in Edo State will expire on Tuesday 31st August, 2021.

“Consequently, all forms of permit to exploit timber in forest reserves and free areas, as well as the extraction of any minor forest produce in the state’s forest reserves are hereby prohibited.

Wada further noted that “all movement of timber as logs or ‘flitches’ of all species within, into and across the state are suspended with effect from 31st, August 2021. Timber licensees and contractors are therefore advised to remove all logs and ‘flitches’ from the forest floor on or before 31st August, 2021.”

“All stakeholders in the forest industry are enjoined to ensure compliance with the aforementioned directive, as any violation would be sanctioned in accordance with the Forestry Law of the state,” he warned.