Enugu gov’t inaugurates group on illegal felling of trees, set to create timber economy

The Enugu State government has expressed interest in partnering with the private sector to check the indiscriminate and illegal felling of trees in the state, saying it was set to create a timber economy.

Inaugurating a group of timber dealers in the state, the Timbers Madrid Buyers Association, in his office at the State Secretariat Complex on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof Samuel Ugwu, said the partnership was to curtail and fight against illegal tree felling and develop a timber economy in the state.

Prof. Ugwu, who was represented by the acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Abia, urged the association to be law-abiding in the discharge of their duties.

He reiterated the unwavering commitment of the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah to grow the economy of the state exponentially, expressing the hope that the timber loading cluster which the association intended to establish in the state would create jobs while helping to address crime and insecurity in the state.

He described the sustainability of trees as a thing of necessity and pledged to ensure that the association succeeded in their plan of planting of more trees to make the state greener.

”The need to ensure the sustainability of trees to boost a greener environment cannot be overemphasised. The indiscriminate and illegal felling of trees is prohibited and this association must ensure there is massive planting of trees because that is one of the ways we can preserve our environment and prevent some of our tree species from going into extinction. The vision of the association is laudable, and the state will give you the support you will need,” he said.

Speaking, the National Secretary, Timber Madrid Buyers Association, Vincent Igwe, thanked the state government for giving them approval to operate in the state, assuring they would abide by the relevant laws of government.

He assured that the association would not only checkmate the illegal felling of trees but would equally set up a timber plantation that would be successfully managed.

”The association will create a regulatory loading bay in Enugu so that we can easily trace where logs are coming from and the destination they are going. We will ensure that any single tree that is cut down will immediately be replaced by planting at least two trees. This way, we will preserve our environment and equally grow the economy. This body shall create a trade relationship between those within and those outside the country, ” Igwe said.

Also speaking, the state chairman of the association, Mr Uchenna Oguh assured that the association would comply with government regulations, promising to contribute their quota not only in creating a timber economy but also ensuring the sustainability of the environment.

The executive committee members of the association include Uchenna Oguh, Chairman, Barr Chinwetara Ogundu, Secretary, Adaora Udeh, Treasurer, Ugochukwu Oparandu, Organizing Secretary, Michael Okoro, Public Relations Officer and Ikechukwu Nduaguba, Assistant Organizing Secretary.