•Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State
The Bayelsa State Government has officially announced the immediate and indefinite closure of all forest activities within the state’s forests, effective from 1 January 2025.
In a statement today, the state Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ebi Ben Ololo, stated that the government’s decision was in line with Section 41 of the Forestry Law, CAP F5 Laws of Bayelsa State 2006.
The commissioner said the directive by the governor aimed to preserve the state’s forest resources and promote sustainable environmental practices, reports The Nation.
Ololo stated that, as a result of this directive, all forms of logging within the forest reserves are suspended.
He also noted that the transportation of logged timber through waterways is banned, emphasising that any movement of timber and related forest products outside designated areas is forbidden.
The commissioner said the Ministry of the Environment had directed that no individual or organisation is permitted to extract or engage with forest products, including wood, without prior authorisation from the relevant authorities.
He asserted that the purposes of the closure were to protect the biodiversity and ecological balance of Bayelsa State, rehabilitate degraded forest areas, and regulate and manage forest resources for sustainable use in the future.
Ololo, therefore, urged all residents, businesses, and stakeholders to comply with these regulations, stressing that the authorities would monitor compliance and impose penalties for violations as deemed necessary.
He expressed the government’s appreciation for the cooperation of the public as it undertakes these necessary measures for the conservation of its natural resources and the overall health of the environment.
The commissioner equally warned that any person or group caught violating the order would face severe consequences, including apprehension, confiscation of vehicles or vessels, and prosecution.
“The Ministry of Environment is committed to protecting and conserving the state’s forests, and this closure is a significant step towards achieving that goal,” he stated.
