The Kwara State government task force enforcing compliance of environmental laws across the state has seized about 10 lorries conveying charcoal worth millions of naira.
While parading the seized vehicles in Ilorin, Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa, advised charcoal dealers to look for another business.
Ndanusa warned charcoal dealers to desist from illegal felling of trees for production of charcoal or face the full wrath of law.
The commissioner revealed that the items were arrested along Okoolowo, Share and Bode Sadu areas of the state.
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“Most of the items are taken to other states and countries outside Nigeria,” he mentioned.
He informed that the state government has sensitised and educated the public on the implications of tree burning for the purpose of charcoal production.
Ndanusa also stated that, “The major cause of deforestation is logging which is second to shifting cultivation.
This imposes a great number of negative impacts on species or products produced from the forest. It also has general effects on the environment and the inhabitants ranging from socioeconomic impact to health hazards.”
Also speaking, Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, who commended the members of the tax force on the success recorded, urged them not to rest in their oars.
