Forestry monitoring team impound two trucks

Akim Oda (E/R), Jan. 10, GNA - A joint-operation by the Akim Oda District and the Eastern Regional Forestry Monitoring Teams has led to the impounding of two trucks loaded with more than 500 illegal chain-sawn lumber worth millions of cedis.

The Akim Oda District Forestry Manager, Mr Thomas Okyere told the Ghana News Agency that the two trucks were impounded at Akim Abenase on December 24, while they were coming from Amantia but the actual forest where the illegal operation took place was yet to be located. He said on spotting the team, the owners of the lumbers managed to escape but the drivers were arrested and the vehicles and the lumber conveyed to Akim Oda.

Mr Okyere said efforts were being made to apprehend the culprits and that if they failed to show up the truck owners would be prosecuted and the lumber sold and the proceeds paid into Government chest. In a related development, Mr Okyere expressed concern about the illegal activities by some chainsaw operators from Agona Swedru who, he said, had besieged the Oboyow Forest Reserve and were causing extensive damage to it.

He said in recent joint operations by the monitoring team, it was able to flush the smugglers out and arrested two of them. The District Forestry Manager said two chainsaw machines and a quantity of sawn lumber were seized.

Mr Okyere said a new road from Moforam, through Apinto to Badukrom and linking the Central Region with the Oboyo Forest Reserve was facilitating the activities of the illegal chainsaw operators. He said the Forestry Commission was negotiating with the Birim South District Assembly to erect a Police barrier in the area to help curb the activities of these nation reckless.

Mr Okyere appealed to the Assembly and Unit Committee Members, Chiefs as well as opinion leaders in those communities to be vigilant and to give tip-offs to the Monitoring Team.