By Ozioruva Aliu
BENIN CITY – THE Edo State government yesterday reiterated its zero tolerance to illegal deforestation and encroachment into its High Conservation Value (HCV) areas insisting that such acts remained illegal and anyone caught in the act would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The chairman, Edo State Forestry Commission, Hon Valentine Asuen stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting with Okomu Oil Palm Company, IDH, and representatives of forest fringe communities to address reported encroachment within the HCV area of the oil palm company’s concession.
The meeting which was held at the Commission’s Headquarters in Benin City, followed a notification from Okomu Oil to the Commission regarding encroachment and destruction in parts of its HCV area.
The meeting was to investigate, verify, and profile communities and camps within the Okomu Forest Landscape.
