FG May Modify Policy On Charcoal Export

By: Michael Mike

The federal government has expressed its readiness to modify the present policy on export of processed wood and charcoal.

It said should the desired results not be achieved concerning export of processed wood and charcoal, then there would be no hesitation in reversing the embargo on the two.

Speaking at the consultative workshop on the Implementation of Policy Guideline on Export of Processed Wood and Charcoal and the Nigeria Timber Legality standards in Abuja, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Yusufu said the 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.

He said: “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.”

He noted that the workshop is aimed at discussing strategies for sustainable utilisation and management of the nation’s forest resources for investors, individuals, companies, exporters in the processed wood and charcoal business.

“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 fulfillment of our commitment to national development agenda as well as Global Goals.”

He urged all the participants to take advantage of the workshop in understanding what the Timber Legality Standards are all about and be familiar with the roles and responsibilities, while stressing government efforts to ensure that processed wood and charcoal export activities do not impact negatively on the forests but rather contribute to job creation and national economic development.

He said: “At this juncture, I will like to urge as many of the Exporter Groups that are yet to establish their plantations to as a matter of urgency, do so and identify with us on this noble cause as the Ministry will not consider applications of Exporter Groups without verifiable evidence of owning forest plantations.

“Already, a number of applications have been received and 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.”

The Permanent Secretary, also added that the government would not relent in the ongoing efforts at increasing the nation’s forest cover and contributing to global emission reduction and climate change mitigation.

The Director of Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Hajara Umar Sani, said that it is 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 utilization and effective forest management before the commencement of export of these products.

She added that the workshop will ensure the sustainability of the wood, charcoal, and other allied products business in Nigeria.

She explained that: “This workshop would have come earlier but it is the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure that processes that will guarantee the protection of our dwindling forest resources are followed. The primary reason was making sure all the measures that will aid SFM are in place in addition to making sure these are communicated to key stakeholders for smooth take-off of operation.”

It is appropriate to emphasize that all critical stakeholders in the wood, charcoal, and other allied products business endeavor to have a full understanding of the modus operandi of the export in the forestry sector because it is no longer business as usual, this is a new paradigm where actions taken in ignorance by anybody will not be condoned.

FG May Modify Policy On Charcoal Export