The Kwara State Government has announced the re-opening of forests in the State for sawmilling and forestry-related activities with conditions aimed at preserving the forests as crucial natural resources for future generations.
According to the Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Jatto Shukurat Adenike, the announcement was made by the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, while interacting with officials and key-stakeholders of saw millers, chainsaw operators, and plank sellers in the State today.
It would be recalled that the forests were declared closed in January 2025 to enhance their natural regeneration and allow the Ministry to engage relevant stakeholders towards adopting best practices while pursuing economic activities within the forests’ terrain.
Declaring the forests open, Hajia Buge stated that the initial closure was inevitable and also in response to international reports on the status of Kwara on climate related matters.
According to the commissioner, “the forests play key roles in climate change and in sustaining human lives. Hence, we need to take proactive measures to mitigate the consequences of deforestation.”
“Henceforth, it is a crime to cut economic trees, without replanting.”
She lamented how unfair human activities habe been to shea butter and locust beans trees, which are both crucial to economic sustenance in both the rural and urban areas.
The Commissioner further urged the attendees to remain committed to their pact with the government, which includes proper registration to practice as sawmillers, renewal by already registered companies and strict adherence to the principle of planting 5 trees in replacement of any tree that is cut down for any purpose
She also urged them to embrace the use of commercial waste management companies in disposing their waste rather than setting them on fire.
Buge equally warned that culprits, including unregistered operators, would be prosecuted, in line with the extant laws of the State, adding that licenses of such companies would be revoked.
