‘Deforestation rate per annum unacceptable’

Intensive logging has led to a reduction of forest cover from 10 per cent of the country’s landmass at independence to less than five percent at present, Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, has said. “The five per cent rate of deforestation per annum is unacceptable if we must achieve sustainable development and environmental sustainability,”  Mohammed […]

Intensive logging has led to a reduction of forest cover from 10 per cent of the country’s landmass at independence to less than five percent at present, Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, has said.

“The five per cent rate of deforestation per annum is unacceptable if we must achieve sustainable development and environmental sustainability,”  Mohammed said during the  inauguration of the National Emergency Committee on Afforestation.

She said the forests have been degraded due to intensive exploitation of timber for domestic and export markets, conversion of forest lands to other use, criminalities within forest estates, among others.

The minister described the inauguration of the committee as an emergency response, adding that it will address business interest and protect the environment in the process.

She said the outcome of the deliberation from the National Council on Environment meeting held recently will be made available to the committee, which is expected  come up with strategies to curtail deforestation and enhance reforestation of the degraded forests and landscape outside forests.

While noting the myriad of problems facing forestry to include poor funding, manpower shortage, lack of private sector involvement and poor governance structure, she said the situation in recent times has been that of flagrant neglect and abandonment of all sound forest reserves management principles.

 Chairman of the Committee, Ahmed Abdulkadir, said the committee is to work out acceptable policies that would regulate the export of processed woods in the country.

 He said the committee, which has 24 members, will be put into groups to hasten up their assignment and to meet up the four weeks’ deadline given to them.

 He said those in the wood business have had their good days, adding “We will bring them to know how they can do their business and improve the environment as well.”