The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal Abbas, has announced plans to inaugurate a taskforce to promote private ownership of forests in Nigeria.
He emphasized that this initiative would increase private sector participation, generate revenue, and expand the country’s forest cover.
The Minister disclosed this during a recent courtesy visit by the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants (FCGICM), led by its President, Mrs. Florence Omolola Idowu, in Abuja.
The taskforce will comprise representatives from relevant departments and agencies, including the Forestry Department, the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NGGW), Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), and the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN). Key associations such as FCGICM and the Wood Exporters Association (WEA) will also be involved.
“We are facing significant challenges concerning forests in Nigeria, and urgent action is required. While the ministry is ready to support associations like yours, we will not condone illegal tree felling,” Abbas stated.
The Minister stressed the importance of raising public awareness about private forest ownership, highlighting its potential to boost Nigeria’s GDP and increase forest cover to at least 25%, aligning with global standards. He also noted the need for sustainable alternatives to charcoal production that do not involve cutting down trees.
“There are several alternative materials for charcoal production, and the ministry is working on innovative solutions to support the recently launched National Clean Cooking Policy,” he said.
Abbas encouraged the association to collaborate with the Forestry Department to explore sustainable charcoal production methods that would preserve Nigeria’s forests.
READ ALSO:
FG, NGOs Champion Education, Skills for Women in correctional centres in Nigeria
FG, NGOs Champion Education, Skills for Women in correctional centres in Nigeria
2024 National Oral Health Week: FG Intensifies Efforts to Eradicate NOMA in Nigeria
Earlier, Mrs. Florence Omolola Idowu, President of FCGICM, revealed the association’s goal of securing Nigeria’s Forest Stewardship Council Certification and compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EURD). She emphasized that certifying forest reserves is crucial to aligning with global standards, Nigeria’s timber legality guidelines, and forest policies.
“This certification ensures that goods exported to the European Union and American markets meet global standards, helping to curb deforestation in Nigeria,” she added.
