Violators of the ban on charcoal production in Kwara State will be sanctioned if caught in the act.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Shehu Ndanusa Usman, gave the warning at a press briefing in his office.
He warned charcoal producers to stop the illegal felling of trees and support the government in its efforts to eradicate deforestation to avoid the destruction of the climate.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s ban on the production of charcoal in the state, adding that the law is still in effect.
He warned, “the law banning the production of charcoal in Kwara State is still intact. Whoever is caught violating the law will be sanctioned accordingly.”
Ndanusa also revealed that the task force on charcoal will continue to move around the state to ascertain the level of compliance and impound vehicles transporting charcoal out of the state.”
He implored the task force and law enforcement agents not to arrest small cars such as buses and taxis transporting within the state for domestic use and also not to indulge violators in whatever guise, but rather confiscate their goods and lorries and report such culprits to the ministry appropriately, for necessary actions.
Ndanusa also enjoined the public to join hands with the present administration in the state, in its efforts to eradicate deforestation and promote a clean and healthy environment in the state.