The Nigerian Government has conditionally lifted the ban on Charcoal and Processed Wood exports in a bid to revamp businesses to increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
The Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi disclosed this in Abuja at a Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on the Review of the Ban on Charcoal and Suspension of Processed Wood and Other Allied products.
He stated that the Ministry observed that many businesses have been unintentionally affected especially those converting waste to wealth for export by the ban.
According to him, “As a responsible government, we would not be rigid in our policies, and will always listen to citizens on how these policies affect them”.
Mr Abdullahi pointed out that the government has considered the submissions of stakeholders in this meeting and previous ones on the need to revisit the decision taken in 2018 and 2020 respectively in the interest of the country.
He also said the government’s decision is an opportunity for private sectors and individuals to massively invest in plantations establishment for future utilisation.
The Minister cautioned operators in the industry to adhere to the Nigeria Timber Legality Standards and Guideline for Wood and Charcoal Export to avoid prosecution as the decision to lift the ban could be revisited by failure to comply with the laid down rules and regulations.
The Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak while speaking commended the government for lifting the suspension on the export of both commodities and warned exporters to play by the rule if they intend to maximize the opportunities presented with the recent development.
He said the Council was, more than ever before, ready and willing to support Nigerians who wish to export the said products by providing seamless trade facilitation.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) among other stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Raw Material Research and Development Council State Directors of Forestry and Forest Institute of Nigeria attended the meeting.
United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Poland are destination markets for Nigeria’s charcoal export.
