Forestry Commission impounds 25 trucks with illegal lumber
The Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission (FC) has impounded some 25 trucks loaded with illegal lumber.
The forest plunderers were making their way to Accra with their booty when they were accosted by the task force in charge of illegal forest activities.
Advertisement
It is suspected that they felt that the roads were empty because of the partial lockdown of parts of the country because of the COVID-19 pandemic and wanted to take advantage of the situation.
Mr Oppong Sasu, Executive Director of the FSD, told the media that those engaged in the illegal activities would be dealt with as officials of the FC are wide awake amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, all district offices of the FSD are operational to deal with miscreants who would want to plunder the forest at the time that issues related to the Coronavirus disease are being dealt with.
"Those who are into illegal activities cannot have access to anywhere because we are firmly on the ground to deal with them,’’ he said.
He said: “Those who are thinking that the FC is sleeping because of the lockdown are deceiving themselves because they can’t escape from us.’’
Mr George Osei, Coordinator of the National Forestry Commission Task Force, explained that the impounded trucks were part of vehicles with illegal lumber, which were trying to enter Accra.
He revealed that those in the illegal activities have devised various strategies to outwit forestry officials but the officials are always on top of their game.
"They are resorting to all kinds of tricks including using old documentations and property marks but the forestry officers know their work and can arrest them,’’ he said.
Mr Osei said that the task force was in full force to deal with the forest plunderers at this crucial time
