Lauretta Fagbohun, Ogun
The chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area, Wale Adedayo on Thursday flawed the demolition of structures and enclaves erected in forest reserves in the Council area by the Ministry of Forestry headed by Tunji Akinosi, describing the exercise as "arson and destructions" against his people.
Nigerian Newstrack learnt that the state government had commenced what it called, the demolition of “illegal structures and enclaves” erected in its forest reserves.
While Akinosi insisted that the demolition was meant to remove illegal shanties and enclaves in the forest reserves, Adedayo described the exercise as “arson and destructions” by the state government.
Akinosi explained that the demolition started last week in Area J1 Forest Reserve and that similar exercise was also carried out in Area J3 both in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.
He said the exercise would be continuous, stressing that it was aimed at ridding the forest reserves of illegal occupants and loggers, as it was not peculiar to Ijebu East J3 alone.
In his words, he said “we were at J1 reserve on Thursday last week and it will be continuous as the government is desirous of cleaning up all our reserves.”
But Adedayo faulted the exercise saying, “Government has schools in these so-called shanties. We went there to campaign for votes in the last election. They pay land rent to the ministry. And, those shanties house majority of our cocoa farmers. It’s just giving them a bad name to nail them".
"We confirmed the ministry was at work, and we felt such a level of horrendous destruction of properties should not happen. We were not informed. And, we are being besieged by these people right now, for things we were never part of.”
“We cannot continue like this in Ijebu East Local Government. These are the poorest of the poor being dehumanised by destroying their farms and houses. Great Awo will never allow some of us to rest if we allow this to continue.”
On his Facebook page, the Chairman condemned those behind the demolition, raining curses on them.
The Chairman revealed that “arson and other destructions have been happening in J3, near Ogbere, since four days ago.”
Sharing photos of structures demolished, Adedayo added in Yoruba language that, “Sugbon, ki awon eeyan wa pada sile. Omo Oba kankan ko gbodo ja ogun bi eru. Isese ni ki e pada si o! Ti won o ba pada, e je ki a be awon aye lowe won. “Ki Omo won saisi. Ki awon paapa beere si ri irikuri. Ile ni ki e pada si o! E je ki a pada so odo awon Baba wa! Ile ya o!!!
Meaning, “But, let our people go back home. A prince doesn’t fight like a slave. Go back to tradition. If they don’t return, let’s seek spiritual intervention. May their children die. May they themselves begin to see bad things. Go back home. Let’s return to our fathers. It’s time to go home.”
Reacting, Hon. Akinosi described Adedayo’s comment as dramatic, saying “This is a drama.”
He asked the local government boss to contact the ministry if he has any question or needs any clarification.
