The Commissioner for Forestry in Ogun State, Tunji Akinosi, and the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area, Wale Adedayo, yesterday clashed over the ongoing demolition of “illegal” structures in the state’s forest reserves.
The government has begun demolition of shanties, enclaves and other “illegal” structures in J1 and J3 forest reserves in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.
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Akinosi said it was aimed at ridding the forest reserves of illegal occupants and loggers.
But Adedayo in a Facebook post condemned the demolition.
He said, “We cannot continue like this in Ijebu East Local Government. These are the poorest of the poor being dehumanised by destroying their farms and houses. Great Awo will never allow some of us to rest if we allow this to continue.”
Adedayo said he had confirmed that officials of the Ministry of Forestry were behind what he termed, “horrendous destruction of properties.”
“Government has schools in these so-called shanties. We went there to campaign for votes in the last election. They pay land rent to the ministry. And, they form the majority of our cocoa farmers. It’s just giving them a bad name to nail them,” he added. God is the ultimate
