The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment has called on the Processed Wood Exporters to establish forest
plantations of their own and show proof of commitment to continue to plant trees.
The Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, Ibrahim Yusufu, said the Ministry will not consider applications of Exporter Groups without verifiable evidence of owning forest plantations.
Yusufu disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the Consultative workshop on the implementation of policy guideline
on export of processed wood and charcoal, and the Nigeria Timber legality standards.
He affirmed that the Ministry has received a number of
applications and they are undergoing
processing.
” Inspection visits have been made to some
facilities and plantations of some applicants while Letters
of Support will be issued only to the companies that meet
the stipulated requirements,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary said the Consultative was organised to
assemble relevant stakeholders within the forest industry
for the purpose of deliberating on implementation strategies of the Policy Guidelines on Processed Wood
and Charcoal.
According to him, 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.
“As you are aware, series of events have taken place
in recent times in the build-up to the take-off of the new
policy on processed wood and charcoal export. The
workshop is yet another step towards achieving
responsible trade in the forest industry without compromising the integrity of the forests and in
fulfilment of our commitment to national development
agenda as well as Global Goals.
“You will agree with me
that the recent conditional lifting of embargo on processed wood and charcoal export, will not yield the
desired results without setting in motion the necessary
machinery such as this workshop designed to provide the
impetus for process and procedure refining for sustainable utilisation and management of forest
resources. We are all aware that the embargo was lifted
conditionally and Government will not hesitate to reverse
the decision if the desired results are not being achieved.
“Government will continue to play its part by providing the enabling policy and guidance as well as oversight to ensure achievement of the desired results while as
Stakeholders, your maximum cooperation is expected,” said Yusufu.
The Permanent Secretary further said, ” As we all know, 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 should thus, be on deck to ensure continued provision of these services via sustainable management of the forests.
“It is instructive to note the alarming rate at which forests are being exploited with the attendant social, economic and environmental consequences. As we cannot afford to continue to drift on this dangerous path, there is an urgent need for collective and proactive
action.
” Let me reiterate our commitment to the Global Goals
for Forests, GFGs, of the United Nations Strategic Plan
for Forest,UNSPF,and its Targets. It is noteworthy that
with significant inputs from the States, Nigeria is
recording steady progress in the pursuit of the Global
Goals especially in the area of increasing the Nation’s
forest cover. This has been made possible by consistent
annual budgetary provision by the Federal Government
in addition to financial, technical and other support from
International Partners, Sovereign Green Bond, and the
Private Sector especially Guinness Nigeria Plc.
” The federal Ministry of Environment has also continued to provide seedlings to schools, NGOs in addition to
technical support.”
It was gathered that the Policy Guideline and the Timber Legality
Standards are developed for best practices which can only be achieved when each player knows his/her role and responsibility.
He however, called on
some exporters who acquire and present fake certificates forest plantation to desist from
such acts.
Also, speaking, the Director, Forestry Department,Mrs Hajara Umar Sami said with the conditional lifting of the ban and suspension on
export of charcoal and wood respectively, it is absolutely necessary that stakeholders meet to discuss implementation strategies of the Policy
Guidelines on Processed Wood and Charcoal and domestication of the Nigeria Timber Legality Standards for efficient utilisation and effective forest management before the commencement of export of the products.