Kwara State Government has directed the temporary closure of all forests in the state with immediate effect. 

This directive followed a top management meeting of the Ministry of Environment, chaired by the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge.

The Commissioner explained that the temporary closure is a necessary step to monitor and ensure natural regeneration of the forest, which has suffered numerous human interference.

Apart from illegal tree-felling for charcoal production, the sawmillers also distort the ecosystem by cutting various kinds of trees without any regard for the regeneration process or implemention of laid down procedures for refforestation, Hajia Buge said.

“The Forestry Directorate will invite various stakeholders for various levels of engagements to restore normalcy and ensure our forests are not depleted without regard for its attendant implications on the overall climate of our state,” according to the Commissioner.

Buge implored members of the public who deal in forestry related products to “continue to cooperate with the Ministry and entrench compliance with laws of the state and restrictions during the period of closure”.

She said contravention of the directive will be penalised in accordance with the law.