God Lovely Enterprise To Collect Tarrif on Illegal Structures in Ondo Forest Reserves
Ondo State Government has authorized God Lovely Nig Enterprise to collect tarrif on illegal structures in the state forest reserves. This was disclosed at the quarterly meeting held at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre, Akure with the farmers in the forest reserves.
It could be recalled that, previous administrations in the state were found of destroying illegal structures and Cocoa plantations in the Forest but Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in his magnanimity allowed the farmers to carry out their farming activities in the forest, provided they comply with rules and regulations laid down by the government.
Addressing the farmers, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Forestry, Chief Olusegun Odusanya said Ondo State Government has enacted a policy to enumerate and impose fine on illegal structures in the state government Forest Reserves.
He clarified that the tarrif is for the existing structures saying the policy strictly prohibit the construction of new illegal structures, noting that a severe sanctions will be imposed on anyone found in contravention of the government policy.
Odusanya said Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in conjunction with God Lovely Nig Enterprise will handle the registration and collection of the fines on the illegal structures.
His words: We were given a target of N2 billion by the government as IGR into government coffers this year and considering the destruction of timbers in the forest, the only way to meet our target is to maintain a robust relationship with the farmers and investors in the forest”.
The Permanent Secretary noted that, Ondo State Government is setting up a committee to look into the activities of the farmers and investors in the forest with motive to put an end to unhealthy rivalry between the duo in the forest.
” The State Government wants to collect data of farmers in the forest which necessitated the registration of farmers by the Government Consultant. This time around, the consultant will register the illegal structures and also collect the fine. It is fine because, it is illegal for anyone to erect structures in the reserves but our Caring heart Governor think otherwise”.
While commending Governor Aiyedatiwa for putting a stop to demolishing of structures in the forest, Odusanya said only God Lovely Nig Enterprise is the approved Consultant by the government to register all illegal structures and collect fines in the Forest.
” Farmers in the forest needs to appreciate Mr Governor who has stopped cutting of cocoa trees in the forest. He believes cocoa produce are economic resources of the state that need to be protected rather than destroying it at the detriment of the farmers and IGR of State”.
In same vein, Mrs Foluke Daramola, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture stated that the meeting was called to further deliberate on the activities of farmers in the forest, updating them on what the government of Aiyedatiwa has in stock for them, of which one of it is the registration of illegal structures.
In his own goodwill message to the farmers, the Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, Hon Gbenga Atiba cautioned Camp Heads (Olu and Baale) against harbouring and allowing Herders to use the Forest in their various domain for rearing of cows and other nefarious activities at the risk of their people lives.
The Consultant and Chairman of God Lovely Nig Enterprise, Mr Olufemi Ajayi- Alabora thanked the Farmers for their cooperation in the payment of their rent while appealing to the Camp Heads to endeavor to remit any money pay to them to the firm.
He further stated that, all farmers with illegal structures should ensure his or her building are capture by the firm saying whoever abuse this great opportunity and privilege given by the government will face the full wrath of the law.
Alabora enjoined the Farmers to continue to pray for the governor who he described as a Farmers Friendly Governor. ” It is on record that, past governments in the state were found of evicting farmers and destroying their plantation in the forest but Mr Governor being a man with a large heart came up with the policy of registering farmers and illegal structures in the forest, today, both the farmers and government are benefitting economically”.
The breakdown of the fines/Tarrif to be paid are:
Trampoline #11,000, Plank Structure #21,000, Mould House #31000, Cement Block House #51,000, School #75,000, Shops #20,000, Cassava Processing Shed #50,000, Oil Palm Processing Shed #50,000, Cocoa Store #75000, Hotels #75,000. Any other related structures will be determined by the team head.
