The Ondo State Government has urged forest guards across the country to provide timely and useful intelligence to support efforts aimed at curbing insecurity.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Leye Akinola, gave the charge on Monday in Akure at the annual conference of the National Association of Forestry Uniformed Staff of Nigeria (NAFUS).
Akinola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Forestry/Produce sub-sector, Chief Segun Odusanya, noted that forest guards play a vital role in the nation’s security architecture due to their closeness to forest areas and knowledge of the terrain.
“In the past, encroachers feared forest guards because they were respected and understood their responsibilities.
We can return to those days if our forests are managed by trained personnel and forest reserves are regenerated,” he said.
He reiterated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to securing lives and property, assuring that government would continue to work closely with security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, to make forests unsafe for criminals.
Akinola commended the governor for approving the recruitment of additional hands into the forestry sub-sector to strengthen monitoring and protection efforts.
In his remarks, the Head of Forestry Uniformed Staff in the state, Mr. Victor Adeoti, said delegates were drawn from the 36 states, adding that the association’s objectives include safeguarding forest reserves, boosting government revenue, and promoting members’ welfare.
Adeoti, however, appealed for more government support to address challenges such as inadequate working tools and welfare benefits.
Also speaking, the National President of NAFUS, Mr. Oluwasayo Anifowose, lauded the Ondo State Government for hosting the conference and pledged that members would continue to cooperate with relevant authorities to protect forest reserves and report illegal activities.