The governor of Western Equatoria State Monday this week issued a gubernatorial order for fresh registration of logging equipment to curb rampant illegal logging in the state.
Governor Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba in his order seen by the Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday ordered all logging companies in the state to register their equipment.
“This order may be cited as State Order No. 05/2022 for all the timber dealers in Western Equatoria State to come to state Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment for the registration of their logging machines and shall come into force upon the date of its signature (04 April 2022),” the order partially reads.
It adds, “The purpose of this state order is to find out those who illegally cut Mahogany and Afzilea trees and others without the notice of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and environment.”
Governor Futuyo in the order further directed the Police, CID, and National Security to implement the order by arresting those who will not comply with the order.
“Anybody who defaults on this state order until the deadline on the 15th May 2022, his or her machine will be confiscated,” the order concluded.
The state agriculture, forestry, and environment minister Alison Barnaba said the order was made in consultation with the ministry stressing that the registration of logging equipment is an annual process known by logging companies.
In related news, Governor Futuyo appointed two officers to the revenue authority in the state.
“State Decree No. 11/2022 for the appointment of Mundri East and Mundri West County Revenue Directors 1- Mr. Louise Warikozi Nelson Mundri East County, 2- Mr. Joseph Lule Henery Mundri West County, Made under my hand in Yambio this day Monday the Fourth of the Month of April in the year two thousand twenty-two AD, Signed Hon. Lt. Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, Governor Western Equatoria State,” the decree read.