Hundreds of residents from Nyamiranga village in West Mugirango constituency have called upon government to investigate and apprehend people who are allegedly practicing deforestation in the region.
Speaking during a burial ceremony on Thursday, speaker after speaker accused Provincial administration of colluding with timber business people to execute the illegal activities.
According to them, the over 500ha forest has been severely deforested despite their efforts to report the matter to the department of environment in Nyamira town.
“There are cartels who normally work with Provincial administration and fortunately, they have succeeded to deforest the region. The government should come, investigate and apprehend the perpetrators for the sake of saving our environment,” said Ronald Bosire.
According to them, the menace has led to drying up or major rivers whose source is from the region besides increasing the risks of pollution due to lumbering activities in the region.
“To be honest with you, our rivers have dried up and the situation might deteriorate if nothing concrete is done by the government to curb the menace. Further, the surrounding environment is being polluted and everyone knows the repercussions,” added Johnson Onsomu.
However, area Assistant Chief Charles Ondimu defended his office from the scathing attacks and accused the perpetrators of executing the crime at night.
“I do not think it is really our fault. Residents know the perpetrators because they normally carry out the crime at time. But I promise we will put all mechanisms to bring them to book. The forest is government property and we are committed to defend it,” he said.