Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has called for the use of digital technology in forest management in Nigeria, claiming that it will make the fight against the use of forests for criminal activities simpler.
Uzodinma made the remarks during the inauguration of the Imo State Command of the Nigerian Hunters and Forestry Security Service (NHFSS) at the Youth Centre in Owerri on Thursday.
Uzodinma, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Digital Economy, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, stated that the simplest method to make the job of the forestry security agency easier and more effective was through what he dubbed the Digital Forest, which uses current technology.
According to him, it would also create millions of employment for young people who join the military.
As a result, he vowed to work with the NHFSS leadership on training and other issues for Service officers and troops.
While speaking following the inauguration of the Imo State Command, the Commander General of the NHFSS, Ambassador Dr. Osetimehim Joshua, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in the battle against terrorism, banditry, abduction, and other kinds of criminality in the country.
He stated that the NHFSS was prepared and ready to assist in the fight against crime, particularly unlawful activities carried out from the forests.
He instructed officers and soldiers of the Imo State Command to be proactive in ensuring that gunmen and others do not use woodlands and fields for horrific acts.
He advised against internal squabbling in the Imo State command and confirmed that Dr. Fabian Iwuoha is the state’s genuine NHFSS Commander.
The Commander General asked the Governor to urge President Buhari to sign the NHFSS Bill into law, as it will help provide the Service with the legal and operational instruments it needs to offer successful services.
“We are aware of the security problems facing Imo State and the efforts of the Governor in confronting them with the objective of making the state safe for living and for business.
“Let me assure His Excellency that the Hunters and Forestry Security Service would play important roles to complement the Police and other Security services in tackling insecurity and other crimes in Imo State, especially when Mr. President signs the Bill,” he said.
He applauded certain state governors for incorporating NHFSS into their states’ security systems, training their staff, and donating operational cars to improve their tasks, and he asked Imo State Governor to do the same.
Chief Metchie expressed concern about the NHFSS’s critical role in the protection of the overall ecosystem, climate, and animals.
“This is because the abuse of nature, especially the shrinking of forests through illegal activities like logging has impacted negatively on the ecosystem, badly affected global climate condition which in turn is the major cause of depletion of ozone layers with resultant global warming, flooding, desertification, hurricanes and tsunamis, among others.
“I therefore believe that Hunters and Forest Security Service, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, and other security agencies, would play an eminent role in protecting the forests from abuse and providing morale to farmers to return to their farms and produce food for our teeming population,” he added.
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