The Bayelsa State Government has announced the immediate closure of all forests activities including timber logging, timber floating, timber movement etc in its forest.
This is by virtue of section 41 of the Forestry Law, CAP F5 Laws of Bayelsa State 2006, according to the Ministry of Environment
by virtue of its mandate “to protect and conserve our forests.”
The state government therefore directed that “all forests in Bayelsa State be hereby closed for all wood logging activities indefinitely, taking effect from the 1st day of January, 2025.
In addition, “no individual person(s) is allowed to take out, or otherwise deal with any forest produce (wood) in the Bayelsa State Forest without the authorization of the Ministry of Environment.
Commissioner For Environment, Ebi Ben Ololo who announced this in a statement added that
“any person or group of individuals caught taking out forest produce (wood) without the said permission or authorization shall be apprehended and any vehicle, vessel or boat used in the conveyance of all forest produce (wood) shall be confiscated including floatation movement of wood on our waterways, and persons onboard shall be prosecuted.”
(Ends)