Business
Forestry Dept Decries Illegal Production Of Charcoal
The Forestry Department, Federal Ministry of Environment has decried the illegal production of charcoal in the country, describing it as alarming.
The Acting Director of the department, Mr John Auta, made this known in an interview with reporters in Abuja yesterday.
Auta said that the illegal production of charcoal for the purpose of energy had aggravated the process of deforestation in the country.
He appealed to marketers of kerosene to make it accessible to all Nigerians so as to reduce the over-dependence on forestry products as alternative energy sources.
The director, however, said that forestry products could still generate adequate revenue for the nation if properly harnessed.
“But my fear is that with this illegal production and exportation of charcoal, some of the species of trees might become extinct.
“Our concern is that apart from deforestation, the next generation will no longer know what is mahogany and Iroko, which are uncommon, even today.
“We will have to do everything possible to preserve our forestry and ensure that the Food Agriculture Organisation’s recommendation of 26 per cent forest cover is met.’’
Another factor militating against forestry in the country, Auta said, is the existence of weak laws governing forest production.
According to him, people do not have respect for forestry conventions and the local laws, adding that the public would begin to comply with rules if the laws were strengthened.
He called on the National Assembly to strengthen the forestry laws to engender the propagation of modern forestry in Nigeria.
“It is only in Nigeria that people can violate forestry laws and go free. The public do not have respect for government regulations on forestry and this is a big problem.
“But if the National Assembly promulgates laws to address the abuse in forest production, it will assist in preserving the forest