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Stakeholders Seek More Investment Wood, Forest Resources In Nigeria

Ebuka Daniel

Stakeholders such as the Design & Dwell Associates, Forestry Research Institute (FRIN), Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN), Processed Wood Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (PROWPMAN), Lagos State Forestry Services, the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) Abuja Chapter among others have called for more investment in wood and forest resources in Nigeria.

They made their position known in a communique issued at the end of the second edition of the Wood Expo Nigeria held in Abuja.

The communique called on the relevant stakeholders to join hands with the drivers of the Expo to ensure continuity as an annual event.

Similarly, relevant government agencies were enjoined to institutionalize the event by making budgetary provisions in their annual budgets for the Expo.

The communique called on states in the country to emulate Nasarawa and Edo States in partnership with Wood Expo to develop the value chains in Nigeria’s forest sector.

It stated, “The participants call on investors to take advantage of the enormous investment opportunities inherent in forest resources of Nigeria.

“The general public and relevant stakeholders should invest and play active role in trees planting projects.

“The government, professionals and relevant stakeholders should pursue development of National Standards for forest and forest products certification in Nigeria.”

Participants also called on relevant authorities to fast-track the process of approval of the National Forestry Act for implementation of National Forest Policy.

The communique added, “The Expo recommended the inclusion of forestry curriculum in the National Education Policy at primary and secondary school levels.

“The Expo recommends the inclusion of local forest resources and cultural values in architectural designs, construction and built environment.

“The Expo recommended the standardization and improvement in indigenous technologies in exploring the potentials of wood in Nigeria.

“The Expo recommends that the Federal Ministry of Environment should champion the coordination of relevant stakeholders for more pro-active synergies in sustainable management of Nigeria’s forests and development of forest products.

“The Expo recommends more pro-active measures to protect Nigeria’s forests to attract investment in the sector.

“The Expo challenged the National Bureau of Statistics to be more proactive in data collection on inventory and trades in forest resources to ensure reliable data.

“The Expo called on investors to take advantage in the potentials of bamboo as an Export commodity as well as income and employment generator.”

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