Firms operating illegally in C/River Forest Reserves risk closure

Special adviser to the state governor on biodiversity and forestry, Ntufam Edet Asim, has further advised such firms to obtain certificates of occupancy before the end of April if they desired to remain in the business.
Addressing stakeholders and representatives of firms operating in the state’s forests, Asim lamented that many firms were exploiting the state’s forests and other natural resources free without recourse to owners of the forests or the state government.
In their different speeches, representatives of the firms lamented high taxation and assorted levies slammed on their operations, saying that these have seriously hampered their businesses.
One of the representatives, Anderson Johnson said: “Even though we are assessed very high taxes and other forest levies, we have not lost sight of our obligations to the forest communities and the state government in the payment of financial requirements,”
 Chief Anayo Newagu of Star Advantage Company Ltd noted that his firm has been in the state for over 20 years adding that they were up to date in their financial obligations.