By Kayode Ogunbunmi
All forests that have been illegally converted to farmlands across the 34 local government areas of the state will soon be retrieved by the government of Katsina Statet.
TThe Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, stated this on Friday in Katsina.
He said that the measure followed the approval of the report of the investigative committee that identified some strategic forests converted to farmlands in the state.
Aliyu-Yar’adua said: “That all those who acquired farmlands from such forests are hereby advised to vacate them with immediate effect, as the committee will commence the enforcement of the directive.
“The public is reminded that only the Governor reserves the power or privilege to approve the allocation of any government forest or piece of land in urban areas within the state.
“People are warned to take note of this information so as to avoid the wrath of the law.”
Last year, the state governor ordered the immediate suspension of the Unit Head of the Forestry Department in the Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state.
The government said this was due to the head’s alleged involvement in the sale of parts of Makaurachi Forest Reserve in the council area.
The state government said the name of the suspended unit head, Usman Illiyasu, was featured “prominently” in the alleged illegal sales of several acres of parts of the forest reserve, which “involved tens of millions of naira.”
This was according to a statement signed by the Director of Press, Alhaji Aliyu Yaradua, on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government.
State Governor, Dikko Radda had also directed the Local Government Commission to identify all other officials involved in the illegal deal.
