BENIN—Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that his administration will take decisive action against illegal felling of trees as a step towards protecting the environment and battling climatic change.

Comrade Adams Oshomole

The governor, yesterday in Benin, at the inauguration of the Forestry Management Committee and Edo City Transport Service, said: “The challenge before you is enormous. It is not only about collecting revenue from those involved in logging. I think the first task is to protect our forests.

“We need to protect our environment. If we don’t protect the forest, we could become part of the savanna. The issue of climate change is real and the damage which people who fell trees for selfish reasons do to the environment is something that we must confront head-on. Ensure that our forests are not devastated by illegal felling of trees. We need to revisit the books and know what new laws we need to protect our environment.”

On Edo City Transport Service, Oshiomhole said: “I trust, as men and women of responsibility, you will be able to value to the management of the transport sector. We are working hard to raise funds to increase the fleet so that we can have more buses plying streets in the city. They currently have 100 buses and we intend to increase the number.

“It will be to your credit if we are able to achieve this. I ask you to scrutinise the management and ensure that they do the right thing. Ensure that the company is run efficiently and profitably. Ensure that there are no wastages and above all ensure that there are no intrigues that will undermine the management,” he said.

Responding, the Chairman of Edo City Transport Service, Chief Sunny Uyigue, thanked the government for the opportunity given to them to serve, and promised that they would strive to improve on the legacy of their predecessors.