Concerned Citizen Writes Osun Govt, Alleges Extortion By Forestry Officers

 

A concerned citizen, Prince Saheed Adesiyan, has written the state government, demanding urgent intervention to alleged daily excessive extortion of flitch contractors, also known as plank dealers in the Ile-Ife axis of the State of Osun, by forestry officers at Ife road blocks.

According to Adesiyan, the officers have continued to unlawfully extort the plank dealers under the guise of an order from Osogbo, the seat of government.

The affected areas are Omifunfun, Ita-Osa, Bolajoko and other road blocks in Ife axis.

Adesiyan, in the letter sighted by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday and addressed to the State House of Assembly and the State Ministry of Environment over the matter in 2020, said nothing has been done so far to address their plight.

Adesiyan who noted that the Flitches Contractors have been doing their best to fulfill required obligations to the state government, said the development has continued to pose a serious threat to their means of livelihood.

Adesiyan stated: “The danger of injustice is perceived and observed when we are being punished for a crime we do not actually commit by the officers stationed at the aforementioned junction. It must be recorded that despite meeting all the request of the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation as regards the rules and payment guiding cutting and transition of planks within Osun State, these officers demand extra changes without issuing any genuine record (receipt) and substantial explanation for the payment. All they say is that the order is from above (Osogbo).

“It must also be brought to your notice that failure to heed to their demand automatically leads to seizure of our properties. These demands do not only claim above 50% of our hard earned profit but also make most people to relegate from this line of job. This is a total aberration, injustice and extortion of the highest order.

“It is the aggregation of these ordeals consisting of abuse of power extortion and unlawful seizure of citizens’ properties that impelled me to write you that you are desirous of sweeping the government agencies clean and restore sanity. I hereby appeal that the honourable lawmakers will investigate the matter for your possible intervention as a matter of urgent importance while we expect that the entire house will prevail on stopping the alienated on charges and bring those who ordered the collection under justice.”

“That we are under obligation to renew our license at every 12months with a specified charges as decided by the State Government and compelled to sought permission (payable price) to the purse of government before embarking on any exploitation. That extra charges are paid to the government to hammer-mark every sawn planks before transportation.

“We do not frown at these government policies, rather we appreciate the government for making life easier for people that choose this work as profession and by making all terms and conditions understandable with clear evidence of what we paid for.”

They called on the Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, Speaker, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, member representing Ife South in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Ogundipe to come to their aid.