Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Friday in Benin says his administration will enact laws that will benefit operators in the forestry business.
Obaseki stated this while addressing protesters made up of forestry business operators that were aggrieved over an alleged long closure of forest reserve by the state government.
The governor said he would enact such laws because his government has the interest of those in the forestry business at heart.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters held placards with inscriptions including, “Gov. Obaseki open the Forest for us” and “Oga governor you have put us in pain”.
Obaseki was represented by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Andrew Emwanta.
He assured the protesters that the state government would look into all the issues raised by them within the shortest possible time.
The Chairman of Timber Lorry Owners association, Mr Walter Enobabor, who is one of the protesters, claimed they have not been working for seven months.
Enobabor said that as a result, many of them could not provide for their families or meet necessary obligations because of the closure of the forest.
He said that they were on a peaceful protest to see the governor so he could address their plight and reopen the forest for business.
Another protester, Mr Friday Aiguokhian, Zonal Leader, Uhunmwode Saw millers License and Lorry Owners, alleged that a Chinese company had been in operation in spite of closure of the forest.
“Forest activities is closed in Edo but the state government gave a Chinese company the license to bring in log from the neighbouring state; this is frustrating to us,” he said. (NAN)
