BAYELSA GOVT TO ENGAGE 200 YOUTHS TO STOP ILLEGAL LOGGING AND PRESERVE ITS FORESTS

BAYELSA GOVT TO ENGAGE 200 YOUTHS TO STOP ILLEGAL LOGGING AND PRESERVE ITS FORESTS
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has expressed serious concern over the increasing level of illegal logging and exploitation of forest reserves across the state.
Governor Dickson, who stated this while exchanging views with Government House correspondents in Yenagoa, noted that illegal logging and other activities that have greatly depleted forest reserves across the state have gone unchecked over the years, stressing that steps will be taken toput as top to such activities.
He described the forest and its many resources as potential sources of revenue for the state that must be protected at all times,especially at a time when government is trying to harness the tourism potentials of the state to attract tourists from within and outside the country.
To this end, the state Governor disclosed that about 200 Youths will be engaged and empowered to check the illegal exploitation and depletion of the rich forest reserves of the state.
According to him, as a government with a clear visionto restore the lost glory of the state, it will also initiate a legislation to make unauthorized exploitation and logging activities in forests across the state illegal and punishable by law.Hon. Dickson noted that, the forest has become a major foreign exchange earner for many countries in East Africa, Asia and Latin America, adding that the forests in Bayelsa have similar characteristics with the ones in these other parts of the world and it is totally the responsibility every Bayelsan to make them attractive and viable.
He warned those who are involved in the unwholesome act to desist forthwith or be treated as economic saboteurs and criminals.
Governor Dickson also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and youth bodies across the state to educate their people on the need to protect and preserve the forest, stressing that it could become a major source of income to the state if properly harnessed. 
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor of Bayelsa State.