Business
FG Plans Mass Timber Plantation In Nigeria …Establishes Wood Tech Park
The Federal Government has concluded plans to embark on mass plantation of timber across the country, and also establish a wood technology park for the training of wood technicians.
This, it said, is to be established through the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), adding that the move will help in the provision of raw materials for wood and wood products.
This was disclosed in a communique issued by the organisers of the Wood Expo Nigeria (WEN) put together from the WEN event held in Abuja and made available to journalists.
The organisers also used the communique to announce the 2022 edition of the expo coming up in Lagos in November.
The communique commended the Raw Materials Research and Development Council’s initiatives of proposing to jointly establish wood technology park for training of wood technicians.
It also noted and commended the proposed mass plantation establishment by the RMRDC across the country for sustainable provision of raw materials for the wood and wood products, pulp and paper industries, as well as for environmental protection.
The communique further noted that the objective of the expo was to promote sustainable use of forest resources as well as wood and wood products through the entire value chain in the sector, while working out economic strategies for effective competition in the global market.
“The forum noted the increasing environmental threats the country is facing as a result of forest depletion and the need to map out effective strategies to mitigate climate change effects.
“There is currently no certified forest in Nigeria, which queried the legality of forest resources in the international market.
“There is a need to have certified forests in order to meet the Federal Government’s 25 million tree planting policy, which is achievable”, it stated.
The communique also stated that in order to plant the 25 million trees across the country, WEN would partner with state governments and engage youths to create jobs from the value chain.
”WEN has a vision of partnering state governors to help the Federal Government realise its plan of planting 25 million trees.
“It is not a waste of time to secure land and plant trees because when you plant trees today, there are ready buyers to buy it off here in Nigeria and abroad. And biologically, it is beneficial to the environment.
“We will engage the youth in planting trees because it will be beneficial to both parties. The youths will benefit economically and it will also help us solve forest depletion in Nigeria”, it added.
By: Corlins Walter
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.