The ban on the export of wood and charcoal has been "conditionally" lifted by the Nigerian government.
Mohammed Abdullahi, the environment minister, declared on Thursday in Abuja after meeting with representatives of the timber and afforestation industries.
He pointed out that many businesses had suffered due to the ban and that it had been decided to support the private sector and individual investment in afforestation.
In order to put an end to forest abuse and ensure sustainable forest management, the minister issued a dire warning.
Following “extensive consultative engagement with stakeholders in the timber/afforestation business and value chain,” he tweeted, “today at the Green Building of the federal ministry of environment, I gave the nod for a conditional lifting of ban/suspension on the export of charcoal and processed wood.”
“The ministry has observed that many businesses have been unintentionally affected, especially those converting waste to wealth for export by the ban.
“As a responsible government, we would not be rigid in our policies and will always listen to citizens on how these policies affect them. Thus, we will be flexible in our decisions.
“The disposition decision taken by the government today is an opportunity for the private sector and individuals to massively invest in plantation establishments for their own use in the future.”
During his remarks, the minister who unveiled the Nigeria Timber Legality Standards and Guidelines paper urged attendees to follow them to avoid legal trouble.
He recommended the establishment of a collaborative task team for monitoring compliance.
As a result, he said, “the Nigerian government has put in place stringent measures to stem the tide of our forest abuse and ensure sustainable forest management, which includes the setting – up of a Joint Task Force, National Forestry Trust Fund, Nigeria Timber Legality Standards, Inter-Ministerial.
“An inter-agency national stakeholders forum on the fight against wildlife and forest crime in Nigeria (including national elephant and ivory action plans), revised guidelines on export of wood and charcoal and a sustained afforestation programme. I subsequently launched the Nigeria timber legality standards and guidelines document.”