Residents of Zabzugu are threatening to take the laws into their own hands following what they describe as lackadaisical attitude by security agencies and the local authorities in clamping down on illegal chain saw operators in the area.
according to them, illegal chain saw operations in the area are affecting their natural vegetation and expressed fears that the activities could lead to desertification in the area.
The angry residents are also worried over the invasion of foreigners who, they allegedly are using money to influence law enforcement agencies and local authorities in the district.
Speaking to Zaa News, the assemblyman for Zabzugu South electoral area Abdulai Ahmed Shiraz said their effort to clamp down the illegal activities has been touted by political and social interference. The angry residents have also impounded an articulated truck with registration number 4942 AB with logs which is currently at the premises of the Zabzugu district assemly.
The assemblyman expressed shocked about the turn of events after a committee was set-up by stakeholders in the districts about six months ago to prevent further depletion of the vegetation in the area by illegal chain saw operators.
Mr. Ahmed Shiraz also tells Zaa News that a district security committee meeting was held about three days ago where it was resolved that any truck loaded with logs should be off-loaded by the assembly.
However the directives of the DISEC meeting is being defied by some people for their parochial interest and appealed to the authority to intervene before the situation gets out of hand.
All efforts to get the District Chief Executive for Zabzugu, Alhaji Abdul-Wahab Umar and the forestry officer in-charge of the area on phone proved futile.
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