Bayelsa Restates Ban on Illegal Logging, Warns Forest Guards Against Compromise

The Bayelsa State Government has restated its directive to forest guards across all local government areas to strictly enforce the ban on illegal logging, warning that any form of compromise will attract severe sanctions.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hon Ebi Ben Ololo, gave the warning during a recent meeting with staff of the Department of Forestry at the Ministry of Environment’s conference room in Yenagoa.

Ololo said the closure of all forests in the state and the prohibition of illegal logging activities, which took effect on January 1, 2026, would remain in force until logging is properly regulated.

According to him, the policy was aimed at safeguarding the environment, stressing that forests play a critical role in human survival by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen.

Conserving forest resources, he added, was necessary to protect both present and future generations.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government is setting up a task force made up of chairmen from the eight local government areas to monitor wood harvesting activities, arrest defaulters and ensure offenders are prosecuted in line with state laws.

He directed forest guards to carry out their duties diligently and professionally, insisting that negligence or collusion with illegal operators would not be tolerated.

Ololo also instructed officers of the ministry to monitor developments in forest areas and submit weekly situation reports through the Director of the Department of Forestry.

During the meeting, an assistant director in the department, Mr Ebiki Timitimi, proposed that uniformed security personnel be attached to forest guards, citing the violent conduct of some wood operators and the need for adequate protection during enforcement operations.

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