By Abdullahi Lukman
In a move aimed at curbing deforestation and fostering sustainable forest management, the Federal Government has initiated the development of a bamboo processing factory in Kogi State.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, announced this development on Wednesday during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, highlighting bamboo’s potential as a viable alternative to traditional timber for various uses, including cooking fuel.
This project in Kogi marks the commencement of the government’s broader strategy to promote the bamboo and rattan economy across Nigeria, aligning with the diversification goals of the Renewed Hope Administration.
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Lawal further disclosed that feasibility studies are currently underway for the establishment of seven additional bamboo processing factories in Ogun, Cross River, Kaduna, Edo, Benue, Ekiti, and Taraba states.
The minister also addressed recent efforts in combating illegal logging, stating that the Department of Forestry had received 11 containers of confiscated semi-processed wood from the Nigeria Customs Service.
Beyond bamboo initiatives, Lawal outlined other environmental conservation efforts, including the launch of agroforestry projects nationwide to integrate agriculture with forestry practices.
He also detailed the ongoing work of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) in the 11 northern states affected by desertification.
Key achievements of the agency include the establishment of extensive shelterbelts, the provision of vocational training and empowerment programs, the creation of skill acquisition centers, and the distribution of solar-powered systems and improved cooking stoves to encourage sustainable practices in local communities.
