Timber traders protest closure of forest reserves in Ondo

Members of the Timbers Traders Organization (TTO), Ondo state chapter, on Wednesday took to the streets, protesting the continued closure of the forest reserves by the state government, banning all activities on logging.

The timber traders who invaded the streets of Akure, Ondo state capital, in their hundreds, as early as 8am, blocking all the roads leading to the Government Reserve Area (GRA) Alagbaka and governor’s office, shouting different anti-government slangs.

Armed with placards of different inscription such as, Akeredolu reopen our Forest” “It is too early for industrial crisis” Arakunrin, we are hungry” “It is not proper for indigenes to suffer while foreigners enjoy” and “Respect our right” among others, vowed not to vacate the streets until the state government address the issue.

The protesters who marched through the popular NEPA road to the governor’s office in Alagbaka, prevented government officials from going in or coming out of the office, vowed not to leave the place until the governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu addressed them.

Led by Tobi Akinlalu and other executives of the OSTTO, the members displayed different placards including

The protesters on getting to the Governor’s office.

Despite the intervention of the security agencies led by the Police, the protesters said they would not leave because they were hungry as a result of the closure of forest reserves by the government.

In fact, the intervention of the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor, Mr Samuel Waare did not solve the situation. They insisted on seeing the governor who they voted for.

Waare, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP)had told them that the governor was out of the state on official visit and would convey their messages to him when he comes back. He said the government was aware of their plight and would be addressed in due course.

Despite his plea, they insisted that the governor must address them, the development that prompted the Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi to come and address the protesters at the gate leading to the Governor’s office.

Addressing the Deputy Governor, Akinlalu said they should not be made to suffer for the offence of forest encroachers as they engage on legitimate businesses.

Aside the state government, Akinlalu said they are the largest employers of labour and contribute to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state government.

He frowned at the abruptly closure of the forest saying they were caught unaware by the government’s directive. He said the organization contributed positively to the economic development of the state.

According to him, most of the timber traders obtained loan from banks to carry out their lawful business and that the closure has affected their business negatively in the last two weeks.

The chairman of the union in Akure South, Mr Kunle Omotosho, called on the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu to address their plight as many of them could no longer feed their family.
He said their business is seasonal as they could not practice during the raining seasons and did not depend on government for any income.

His words “We want to appeal to the government to listen to our appeal and save us from the present situation, we are losing money day in day out while the present economy is biting harder.

In his response Ajayi said it is not only the forest reserve that was closed but all the accounts of government in order to prevent flittering of government resources. He said the governor would address their plights as soon as he returns from official trip outside the state.”