WILD FLORA, FAUNA ARE RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES ENDOWMENT OF EVERY SOCIETY JIBRIN

WILD FLORA, FAUNA ARE RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES ENDOWMENT OF EVERY SOCIETY JIBRIN

BY LEO EZEKIEL

In delivery his keynote address the honourable Minister of State Environment at the Interactive Workshop On Sensitization and Awareness Creation Wood Export and CITES implementation held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on 23^rd – 24^th February 2018 told the participants that wild flora and fauna are renewable natural resources endowment of every society. Speaking further the honourable minister of state environment

Jibrin said that there provide sustenance of livelihood at various levels of economic development as forest and forest resources contribute significantly to the economic development of advanced nations like USA, Canada and Finland whereas he concurs that in developing nations like ours, they underpin peoples livelihood and economic development in areas such as furniture, construction, housing food, security ,  medi care and environment is aware of these socio-economic aspects of forest operations particularly in the creation of rural employment generate income, support livelihoods and entrance poverty reductions which are all in line with the economic growth recovery plan (EGRP) which the government is seeking for benefits from various ways of economic diversification from non-oil exports as he told the participants that government is also aware of the result of large trade volumes between nations and the effect on the environment and again,

Jibrin agrees that consumption of these products and services are expected to be compatible with economic development, social benefit and environmental sustainability. The large participants were told that the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna (CITES) is an international treaty control and regulate the use of species of plants and animals that are threatened, endangered or are at the verge of being extinct. In closing his keynote address the honourable minister  for state Jibrin graciously told the participants that illegal trade on wild flora and fauna resources must be halted, as it threatens  the environment , deprives communities of their livelihoods, decreases and increases the probability if conflicts and insecurity in addition to Jeopardizing the survival of some species. Speaking to the participants and stakeholders,

the Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Environment Tolu Osakude graciously told the unprecedented gathering that the interactive workshop is designed to achieve a general objective, to provide more information in the identified gap, in Implementation of procedures and guidelines on wood export and CITES listed specimen in Nigeria, gaps were identified in areas and there are as follows:. Lack of clear understanding of semi processed, processed and fully processed wood products.

• Primary and secondary machine processing operations
• Reasons for ban on rough swan, round wood, log export
• Letter of support and its implications
• When and how to apply for CITES certificate
• Computations on the payment RRR-platform
• Compliance with known procedure and guidelines
• CITES certificate for which specimen KOSO or every CITES listed products
• Where and WHEN TO PROCURE A CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN FOR FOREST PRODUCTS. Speaking further Osakuede did tell the stakeholders and participants that the expected success story after the two-day’s activities would depend to a large extent on the level of engagement.

Speaking with journalists the General Secretary Tropical wood Exporters Association of Nigeria (TWEAN) Joseph Odiase said that the wood exporting is a huge business that brings monies to the exporters and government. Odiase concurs that the two days interactive workshop had actively come up for a deeper elucidations for the exporters of wood on all the technicalities that associate with the forestry department of the Ministry of Environment Odiase appeals to all and sundry in the wood exporting business to carry on their activities on the stipulated regulations of laws of the Land.

Speaking with Journalists , the Chairman, Tropical wood Exporters Association of Nigeria (TWEAN) Tayo Omotoye said that the CITIES certificate is really important to all the stakeholders as far as the wood exporting is one means of providing livelihoods for many Nigerians. Omotoye says that the government would actually benefit uncommonly from the wood business and he finally says that the wood business is okay in Nigeria because the government really got to begin to do a diversification on non-oil products.Speaking with journalists Hon Chukwuemeka Otuma did tell the stakeholders and participants at the two days sensitization and awareness on interactive workshop that the federal government should protect the interest of all and sundry in the wood business. Otuma concurs that he knows the nitty gritty of national convention where  should in actual fact give a protective cover to wood export  so that monies, foods and other person effects would be derived,.Hon Otuma said that the CITES interactive workshop on sensitization and awareness has really helped informing and educating the stockholders et^al.

Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline the Chief Executive Officer of Royalward Global Investment Ltd and also Chairmen, processed wood producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (PROWPMAN)

Oyeleke Ademola, said that the interactive workshop is really loaded with what the practitioners do naturally need to know in the sector. Ademola concurs that the two days exercise is a turning point in their business and he sends good will messages to hug members to abide with pros and cons of all they have being taught