Check activities of chain saw operators - Timber firms

Twifo-Praso (C/R), Aug 28, GNA - Four timber firms operating in the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District in the Central Region, on Friday appealed to the police and forestry officials to help stem the activities of illegal chain saw operators in the area.

The chain-saw operators, who are believed to have come from the Eastern Region to operate in the area, are alleged to be armed with guns and cutlasses, have illegally occupied the concessions of the firms and vandalising their tractors and trucks.

Mr Daniel Darkwah, a spokesman for the Birim Wood Complex, Alhaji Adams Timbers, J S B Timbers and Ekow Gaisie Timbers, made the appeal through the GNA at Twifo-Praso.

He urged the police and forestry officials to intervene immediately to avert a clash between their workers and the operators who carried out their operations in the night.

Mr Darkwah said they have destroyed about 600 economic tress including Wawa, Ofram, Mahogany, Mbiri and Esia on their concessions located between Aboabo and Pewodie, both near Praso. When contacted, Mr Ackon Baidoo, district technical forestry officer, confirmed the allegations and said the police were investigating.