The Wood Exporters Association of Nigeria, (TWEAN) has said that since the ban on wood export from Nigeria was lifted last year by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES), the Nigerian wood industry has become highly regulated and is witnessing increased economic activities.
The General Secretary of TWEAN, Joe Odiase said that since the ban was lifted last year, coupled with government’s pro-activeness to grow the sector, more furniture manufacturing companies are coming into the wood industry.
Odiase disclosed that the sector currently engages about five million Nigerians in the value chain of the wood processing industry adding that more could still be done if the policies guiding the sector are fully implemented.
He also said that the Minister of Environment has met with several stakeholders in the wood industry to ensure every stakeholder is carried along in the process of growing the industry.
He said, “You cannot export without specifications from the Ministry, you cannot export without contributing to the aforestation programme of government, which is also contained in the policy guidelines on wood export.”
Odiase said with the current policy guidelines, the industry is expected to boom in no time and contribute more significantly to national economic growth.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.