Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Wednesday, screened and confirmed the appointment of Col. Dan Didiugwu, (rtd) as the chairman of the Enugu State Forest Guard Board.
Governor Peter Mbah , through the SSG, Prof. Chidiebre Onyia committed a letter to the House to confirm the appointment.
After a rigorous interview on his competence to drive the Forest Guards for the state, Col. Didiugwu said that he would recruit able-bodied youths that will be capable to man the forests.
Didiugwu said that they would be thorough in chosing members of the forest guards, not elderly people.
“We shall recruit energetic youths who can do the work, not old men. It is not going to be business as usual. We are going to inject new blood,” he said
According to him, they will establish a strike force known as Forest Rangers who would be the first defenders to complement the guards, pointing out that it is they that will “identify dangers.”
The Chairman however lamented that it was observed that some traditional rulers were hobnobbing with herdsmen and collecting cows and money from them to give them lands.
He said that he would make sure that traditional rulers that compromise their positions in dealing with the murderous herdsmen will be dethroned.
He said that he would carry out campaigns to dissuade the people from meddling with terrorists for any monetary gratification.
“Some people gave their lands to Fulani herdsmen who gave them cows. We shall organize workshop on terrorism. Terrorists give out money to some people. Any traditional ruler collecting money from herdsmen will be dethroned,” he declared.
On how to dissuade the guards from extorting money from the public, the Chairman said that he would see that those who indulge on any becoming act would be dealt with accordingly.
To ensure that the forests are effectively covered, the chairman who said that he would work in synergy with other security agencies, disclosed that the state would be divided into eight zones.
“We shall sectorise the zones into eight to combat the thick forests. We shall recruit the guards from the communities who know their areas very well.”
Another strategy he said they will adopt is to organize hunting festivals whereby the forests will be combed to see that criminals are not lurking in them.
“We shall organize hunting festivals to take over the forests by hunting in them, thereby making sure that criminals do not lurk in them.”
Having confirmed the appointment of the nominee, the Speaker, Uchenna Ugwu directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the governor on what they have done.
