Ministry Initiates New Policy To Curb Forest Mismanagement

The Community-Based Forest Management policy of the Federal Ministry of Environment will address the mismanagement of forest resources in the country, an official has said.
Mr Thomas Fameso, Deputy Director, Forest Utilisation in the ministry, dropped this hint in Abuja recently in an interview with newsmen.
Fameso said the policy was aimed at involving communities where forests were located as stakeholders in the industry.
He added that the policy would, henceforth, address the menace of illegal logging as well as poaching and that it would also be tackle the hitherto misuse of forest, thereby ensuring adequate forest conservation.
‘’The forest policy of 2006 has identified the need of local communities in the management of forestry.
‘’Government cannot successfully manage forest without the involvement of communities where these forests are located.
‘’The people of the communities know the history of these forests; they see people who run illegal activities in these forests and turn their back because they are not involved.
‘’With this new policy, the people can help the police on the forest,’’ the deputy director said.
Fameso said the new policy guideline required the ministry to give support of  services to the communities for better performance, adding that communities’ involvement would make them have a sense of belonging.
He, therefore, urged state governments to give priority to conservation of forest and its resources, adding that forest resources would address the problem of poverty.
He expressed the hope that the industry would generate more income and reduce unemployment among the people than some of the sectors which were being given more attention by some governments.
Fameso also for concerted efforts from all tiers of government to turn around the industry.