Nigeria to explore ways to improve benefits of bamboo plantation

The Nigerian government says it is seeking more ways to explore enormous benefits of bamboo for the socio-economic development of the country, through sustainable livelihood and job creation.

Nigeria’s Minister of Environment Mr Barabe Lawal disclosed this at the commemoration of the 2023 World Bamboo Day held in Abuja the nation’s capital.

“The recent coming on board of Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurial Development (SIBRED) as the first bamboo research institute outside Asia (in Nigeria) that will service 16 other African countries will increase our traction toward bamboo development” He stated.

Mr Barabe also noted that the Ministry, is also focusing on the development of Bamboo and Rattan Sector in Nigeria as part of the government efforts to increase forests and ecosystems conservation.

He said the government will work and collaborate with stakeholders including private sectors and international organizations in the development of Bamboo and Rattan Sector in the country.

“We have continued to increase collaborations with local and international Partners including the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR), our membership of and continued collaboration with INBAR has been of tremendous benefits to the country particularly in the areas of training and capacity building support centred on the development and promotion of the bamboo value chain in combating climate change and contributing to social wellbeing and national economic development.” He stated.

According to him, “currently, the first Bamboo Processing Factory is being established in Karara, Kogi State with the objective to bolster local content development in the production of bamboo toothpicks and other products in the short and long terms. pursuant to this, the Ministry is encouraging the establishment of improved seedling nurseries as a strategic means of sustaining this innovation.”

The Minister, further said that the ministry is also exploring the option of diversifying forestry sector through bamboo development which will in turn shift attention from the use of trees to bamboo, as part of measures to achieve effective regulation in wood trade and reducing the pressure on forest trees across the country.

“We are conscious of the fact that, the Federal Government cannot achieve this vision without the usual support and collaboration of the State Government. We count on the support of the State Governments especially bamboo producing states to make land available for the establishment of bamboo plantations for the multiple and mutual benefits of degraded land restoration and sustaining availability of raw materials for the existing and the potential bamboo based industries across the country.” He explained.

The Director, Forestry Department Ministry of Environment, Mrs Hajara Umar Sami, while highlighting the importance of the event, said the aim was to sensitise the general public on the usefulness of Bamboo.

“Its a miracle plant, it is a sliver bullet to addressing our environmental issues, what we are saying is that instead of cutting down our trees and deforesting everywhere we want everybody to start using the Bamboo grass, it grows more easily, and faster than the trees, it doesn’t require more attention when growing up like the trees, with Bamboo we can create massive employement and solve alot of issues we are facing environmentally we can use Bamboo to replace the use of trees, plastics, etc, if you notice some airlines are already using Bamboo cultleries on board to replace the use of plastics, we are calling on the private sector to partner with the government to produce more Bamboo products to replace the use of plastic thereby reducing environmental pollution” She explained.

Mrs. Sami further stated that the Ministry is working on a policy note which will be presented to the National Council on Environment on a developed roadmap and also collaborate with other sectors to ensure that Nigeria has a policy on Bamboo which will serve as a guideline for both State and local governments.

Representative of the Kogi State Governor and Commissioner of Environment, Mr Victor Omofaiye, said using Bamboo will help reduce emissions and land degradation.

He further stressed that there is a need for the government to develop the bamboo sector.

“It is the fact that Kogi State is the highest producer of Bamboo, its a project that is still ongoing, that is why we are here today to tell the Federal government and the Federal Ministry of Environment not to relent, because it it a project we are hoping will turn around the economy of Kogi State. “ He stated.

Secretary, China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Mr Gene Zhang, said the Chinese government is ready to work with the Nigerian government to improve its bamboo industry in the country.

“Bamboo is very popular in China, China has a Bamboo industries chain, in China, we use Bamboo to make chop sticks, floor, furnitures, food and printing papers, etc the Bamboo is very useful in China, so as a Bamboo expert and industry chain of Bamboo China can help introduce its experience and improve the Nigerian Bamboo industries.” He said.

In a paper presentation titled “Bamboo The Miracle Plant” by INBAR Consultant and Founding Director Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurial Development SIBRED, Dr John Ogbodo, lamented that there is no operational national bamboo policy, nor regulations or plantation of bamboo anywhere in Nigeria.

“The overall objective of this presentation is to persuade the federal and state governments, businesses and stakeholders on the need to invest in bamboo projects and programmes both as natural based solution resource to improve in our environment and to giving our teammates on applied unit an alternative and better means of livelihood.” He said.

The theme of this year World Bamboo Day is “Environmental Restoration and Job Creation.”