Minister Decries Poor Participation of Private Sector in Forest Management

 

Mailafia expressed the view in Abuja at a two-day national stakeholders' workshop on the implementation of forest instrument in the country. 

We recall that the Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests (NLBI), also commonly known as the "Forest Instrument," was adopted by the UN Forum on Forest (UNFF) in 2007. 

The primary purpose of the instrument is to promote commitment and action on all forests to enhance sustainable forest management and the contribution of forest to the eradication of poverty. 

The minister was represented on the occasion by Mr Simon Adedoyin, Deputy Director, Forest Conservation in the ministry. 

She said the low level of private sector investment in forestry had affected the government’s goal of achieving inter-connectedness to soil, water and climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

''Despite the concerns shown by the government on the precarious state of the nation’s forest resources, the level of implementation of forestry development programmes are not commensurate with the level of degradation due to funding constraints. 

''Also, poor policy implementation and low level of private sector participation and investment hamper development in forestry despite its critical importance and inter-connectedness to soil, water and climate change mitigation and adaptation,'' the minister said. 

She stressed the need to strike a balance between good forest management practices and the pull of economic growth. 

She called for cooperation between development partners and the government in tackling the menace of deforestation, adding that public partnership involvement in forestry was crucial in the sustainability of forest management. 

Earlier, Mr Salisu Dahiru, Acting director, Federal Department of Forestry, said the objectives of the national workshop were to raise awareness and build capacity among stakeholders. 

Dahiru, who was represented by Mr Muyideen Badru, an assistant director in the ministry, said the workshop was aimed at sensitising stakeholders to the purpose of implementing the forest instrument for the attainment of sustainable forest management. 

“The forest instrument covers a broad spectrum of issues beyond forest and its implementation requires close cooperation between different authorities and agencies,'' he said. 

In a goodwill massage, Ms Louise Lobisa, Country Representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Nigeria, commended the Federal Government for taking a bold step toward the implementation of the forest instrument. 

She said FAO was looking forward to working closely with the government and stakeholders on domestication of the instrument and its further implementation. 

''The FAO recognises and commends the government’s efforts in this respect which guide the use, development and management of the country’s valuable forest resources. 

''As you embark on this important initiative, full cooperation and support of all stakeholders will be crucial,'' she said. 

Also, Mr Thomas Fameso, Deputy Director, Forest Utilisation, told NAN that the adoption of the non-legally binding instrument on all types of forests by the UN General Assembly had reinforced the global commitment to sustainable forest management. 

Fameso said the idea would engender an over-reaching principle of forest policy at both national and international levels and to outline future priorities in the global objectives of forest.