Due to illicit activities in forests across Nigeria, the federal government is set to combat illegality in forestry sector. HELEN OJI reports
The federal government has put in place guidelines and standards that will regulate the sector and ensure sustainable forest management to increase revenue generation for the country. The forest industry is for the purpose of deliberating on implementation of strategies of the Policy Guidelines on Processed Wood and Charcoal. It is also to define roles and responsibilities in the implementation of the Nigeria Timber Legality Standards as well as strengthen capacity of stakeholders in the effective application of the Legal Standards to promote transparency, standardization and internationally acceptable best practices.
Commitment
According to the permanent secretary of federal ministry of environment, Ibrahim Yusufu said it is a step towards achieving responsible trade in the forest industry without compromising the integrity of the forests and in fulfillment of our commitment to national development agenda as well as Global Goals.
“As you are aware, Nigeria is confronted with replete environmental challenges such as, deforestation and land degradation among others due to unsustainable logging activities especially as witnessed during the recent ban and suspension on wood and related product export from 2018 without corresponding forest replenishment.
He stated that the Joint Task Force was emplaced to bring sanity to the Forestry Sector by ensuring investors and other players in the sector comply with Forest Laws, Standards, and Regulations to checkmate forest and wildlife crimes, illegal logging and environmental degradation.
“The Joint Task Force was emplaced to bring sanity to the Forestry Sector by ensuring investors and other players in the sector comply with Forest Laws, Standards, and Regulations to checkmate forest and wildlife crimes, illegal logging, environmental degradation and consequently, help to reverse the deplorable state of the forest.It is very important we manage the forests sustainably for the continuous provision of an array of products and services for both the present and future generations,’’ he stressed.
Perm Sec stated that they are strategies for sustainable utilization and management of the nation’s forest resources, so that investors, individuals, companies, exporters and other players in the processed wood and charcoal business comply with the laws, rules, guidelines and policies of the various States and the Federal Government.
Curbing illegal forest exploitation
Additional, without forests there can be no timber, charcoal and other allied products to trade in. Therefore, managing these forests sustainably is vital for the sustenance of the wood-based trade and for sustainable environment and provision of social services for man’s survival. What this connotes is that man’s survival largely depends on how forests are managed.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure continued provision of these services via sustainable management of the forests.
The ministry is aiming at curbing illegal forest exploitation which has affected and destroyed the country’s rich biodiversity thereby denying the ountry full realisation of its potential.
“There should be effective collaboration with states to ensure compliance by authorized forest users with agreed laid down laws, rules, guidelines, and policies of various states and national with a view to keeping close monitoring and apprehending and handing over all culprits to appropriate authorities for sanction.
The Director of Forestry Ministry of Environment, Mrs Hajara Umar Sami said We will also put in place whistleblowers both from the community level the NGO’s the CPO, in such a way that each time any illegality is sighted in the forest we will be informed about it and we will quickly swing into action.
Ministry’s commitment
Head of Wildlife Management, Dept of Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Mr John Daniel said that the government has provided all the necessary requirement the JTF needed to function properly.
“All these things are available so that the issue of compromise will be very minimal and would not even be there,” he said.
Representatives, of Wood Exporter Association, Mr Dapo Olorunnisola who is also a Member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, said that the association would make sure that members adhere to rules and regulations of the government.
“We will make sure that everybody that found wanting will be punishable according to the rules and regulation guiding the Taskforce,” he said.
Representative of Charcoal Exporters Industry, Mr Dotun Ogundeji, said the Charcoal exporters would key into the sustainability and guidelines policy of the government.
“We have to key into the guidelines of the government for us to continue with the business,” he said.
The Guidelines and standards are expected to regulate the sector and ensure sustainably Forest Management while increasing revenue generation for the country.
