By Ernest Osogbue
The recent passage of the Nigerian Forest Security Services (NFSS) bill by the National Assembly has elicited excitement from members of the Service and the generality of Nigerians. Speaking with newsmen at the Services headquarters in Abuja, the Commander General of the NFSS, Dr. Johnson Osatimehin, who was visibly excited by the development, was full of gratitude to both chambers of the National Assembly for their efforts. According to him, while the Service awaits presidential assent to the bill, it was a thing of joy to know that the National Assembly understood the critical importance of the NFSS in the emerging security challenges confronting Nigeria.
Dr. Osatimehin, therefore, commended everyone who contributed to the smooth passage of the bill at both chambers of the National Assembly. Also, speaking in the same vein, the Deputy Commander General of the Service, Ambassador John Metchie, expressed his gratitude to the National Assembly, the Nigerian press, and all stakeholders in forest security for their support up to this point. He appealed for their continued support until the bill became law, with a view to ensuring the complete security of Nigerian forests.
It must be noted that the NFSS is a complimentary security service aimed at helping the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in policing and gathering intelligence on the activities taking place in Nigerian forests. If assented to by the president, many believe that the NFSS would greatly assist in reducing the incidence of criminal activities in our forests. This would ultimately lead to greater productivity by allowing farmers who hitherto had abandoned their farms due to banditry to go back to farming.
For now, the National Assembly has done its part, all eyes are now on the president, as Nigerians eagerly await his assent to a bill that would ensure the proper policing of Nigerian forests, and limit or possibly eradicate the activities of criminals who are currently threatening the livelihood of many Nigerian.
