Authorities of Lainya County in Yei River State have suspended the operations of logging companies in the county following an order issued by the state governor.

Lainya County commissioner Eresto Taban told Radio Tamazuj that the state governor issued an order suspending the operations of teak logging companies with immediate effect.

Taban said several companies involved in the teak business have been operating without legal documents while others log without any approval from either the national or state governments.

“There was a decree sent to my office by the Governor of the state directing me to stop teak logging in the County. Currently there is no logging or transporting of teak logs in the area. We want to see a clear system where there is clearance of the cut down trees to avoid fire outbreak. These companies were only approved to cut down the teak without replanting,” said Eresto.

Two months ago, Yei River State parliament launched an investigation into teak companies demanding the state executive council stops the exploitation of the Loka Forest Reverse.

Earlier the chairperson of economic committee Lokoroto Daniel at the legislative assembly said, “There was supersonic exploitation of Loka Forest Reserve without clear financial accountability being remitted to the state government coffers. Neither new plantation nor any benefit to host communities.”

Meanwhile, a resident of Lainya County who identified himself only as Lokudu said the order issued by the state governor is too late.

“I think the state Government is now waking up from sleeping. Loka forest Reserve has been completely cleared without any new planting and without any benefit to the community in terms of provision of health, education or water facilities to the local population,” he said.

One of the staff working for Green World Timber Company who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the government for suspending the teak logging, saying they have fulfilled all that was required of them.

“We have been paying huge amount of money in form of taxes to the national and state governments directly. The decision taken by the state government is wrong. We normally do all that the government wanted but we have not been directed to do replanting or provide other services to the community. This decision has directly affected our business relationship with the government,” he said.