FAO seeks review of forestry laws in Nigeria

The Food and Agriculture Organisation has called for the review of the forestry laws in Nigeria to provide maximum punishment for indiscriminate felling of trees.

Its Representative in Nigeria, Mrs Louise Setshwaelo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.

According to her, maximum penalties will discourage deforestation and reduce effects of climate change on the environment.

“Some of the forest laws that you find there are very outdated even when there is continued degradation.

Some of the provisions in the law need to be updated to make sure that those who go against the laws are made to account (for their actions).

“It really builds accountability in governance in terms of the use and management of forests.”

She further advocated the existence of forest monitoring teams to apprehend tree loggers for appropriate sanctions.

According to Setshwaelo, rural people eke out a living from forestry especially in terms of forestry products such as logs and fire woods.

Setshwaelo said, “FAO’s view is not about forestry resources not being used; it’s about using forest resources in a sustainable manner so that we do not deplete our forests.

“People who go in and do illegal logging, it is really a lot of times against the wishes of those communities.

“We need to involve the communities as part of the management of these forest in monitoring process because unless you are monitoring how much deforestation is going on, you will not be able to control it.

“With the communities being part of the monitoring system, you know that, at least, you have an appreciable number of people who are able to take responsibilities for the management of these forests.

“In a project that we are implementing at the Federal level and in Cross River, we are now building a database for monitoring forests in Cross River. We are hoping that this database will be expanded as we expand the programme to other states.”

Setshwaelo also advised the Federal Government to accord the Great Green Wall project its due priority by raising awareness on the significance of regular tree planting to check desertification and desert encroachment.

She explained that the initiative would go a long way towards enabling Nigeria to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals focusing on afforestation.

The FAO representative, however, said that excessive grazing and cutting of trees was due largely to the failure of the relevant authorities to revise the Land Use Act of 1978.