By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Ogun State Government says it has planted about five million trees across the state as part of efforts to curb deforestation and preserve its forest resources.

The state Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, disclosed this while speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Irewolede Plank Sellers and Woodworkers Association in Ogun State.

Oludotun said the government had also restored the state’s nine forest reserves to full functionality as part of measures to protect the environment and ensure the sustainable management of forest resources.

He urged plank sellers, woodworkers and other operators in the timber industry to support the government’s conservation efforts by adopting sustainable harvesting and tree-planting practices.

The commissioner advised operators to source timber through designated forest reserves and replace trees harvested for commercial purposes through deliberate reforestation.

According to him, sustainable management of forest resources is critical to reducing the environmental impact of indiscriminate tree felling while ensuring the continued viability of the timber industry.

Oludotun said the tree-planting initiative formed part of the state government’s broader efforts to strengthen environmental protection and preserve its forest reserves.

He also called for greater collaboration between the government and operators in the wood sector, stressing that the survival of the industry depended on responsible management of the natural resources on which it relied.

Other stakeholders at the anniversary urged operators to adopt modern technology to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional wood-processing methods.

They also called on young people to develop greater environmental consciousness, stressing that forest protection required collective responsibility.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Irewolede Plank Sellers and Woodworkers Association, Gbemisola Adenekan, said the association’s 10th anniversary represented a celebration of its unity, resilience, enterprise and commitment to its members.

Adenekan said the association had, over the years, coordinated the activities of plank sellers and woodworkers operating at the Sawmill, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, while promoting members’ welfare, peaceful coexistence and economic interests.

He commended the Ogun State Government for creating an enabling environment for artisans, businesses and other productive sectors to operate.

“Our members can only thrive when there is peace, security and an environment that supports legitimate economic activities,” he said.

Speaking on the anniversary theme, “The Future of Wood: Securing Livelihoods, Advancing Agriculture, Preserving Culture, Promoting Health and Driving Modernisation,” Adenekan said the future of the wood industry would depend on greater responsibility, innovation and collaboration among stakeholders.

He pledged the association’s continued commitment to protecting the interests of its members, strengthening unity and contributing to the development of the community and Ogun State.

Adenekan also commended past and present executives for their contributions to the growth of the association and acknowledged the Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Student Affairs, Adeyemi Azeez, for his support.