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 “Some of the forest laws that you find there are very outdated even when there is continued degradation.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