The Edo State Forestry Commission, under the leadership of its Chairman, Hon. Valentine Owamagbe Asuen, has inaugurated a new team of enforcement officers tasked with protecting the state’s forest reserves and wildlife resources across the three senatorial districts.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Benin City, marks a pivotal step in the state’s renewed commitment to the sustainable management, conservation, and regulation of its natural resources.
In his address, Hon. Asuen charged the newly constituted enforcement team to remain vigilant, professional, and dedicated in the discharge of their duties. He urged them to uphold the Commission’s mission of preserving Edo’s rich biodiversity and combating illegal activities such as logging, poaching, land encroachment, and forest degradation.
“This is a critical assignment. You are not only protecting trees and wildlife — you are safeguarding the environmental future of Edo State for generations to come,” the Chairman stated.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to work in alignment with the state government’s sustainable development agenda, adding that the inauguration of the enforcement team would enhance eco-tourism, strengthen environmental governance, and foster responsible forest management practices.
The newly inaugurated officers are expected to bolster ongoing conservation efforts, monitor compliance with environmental regulations, and ensure the long-term preservation of forest and wildlife ecosystems across Edo State.
With this deployment, the Edo State Forestry Commission says it is better positioned to scale up enforcement operations and protect the state’s natural heritage from threats and unsustainable exploitation.
