The Kwara state government says its order banning the production of charcoal in the state still stands.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Shehu Ndanusa made this known while briefing newsmen in Ilorin on Friday.
“The law banning the production of charcoal in Kwara is still intact. Whoever is caught violating the law will be sanctioned accordingly”, he said.
The commissioner warned that the illegal felling of trees for charcoal was impacting negatively on the environment, adding that the government was committed to afforestation to preserve the environment.
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Ndanusa said that a task force on charcoal production has been ordered to move around the state, to ascertain the level of compliance and impound vehicles transporting charcoal out of the state.
He said the task force and law enforcement agents have been directed to arrest trucks carrying charcoal outside the state but allow cars, buses and taxis conveying the product for domestic use.
“Do not collect money from violators, make sure you confiscate the charcoal and the trucks and bring them to the Ministry of Environment for necessary actions,’’ he said.
The commissioner urged the public to partner with the present administration in its efforts to tackle deforestation and promote a clean and healthy environment in the state.
Charcoal production is done through a method called pyrolysis of biomass. Pyrolysis is defined as the irreversible chemical change brought about by heating the biomass in the absence of oxygen.
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In 2018, Kwara state banned charcoal production and trade to protect the environment and preserve natural resources.
The state’s former governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, signed an amendment bill prohibiting the production, transportation, storage or sale of charcoal into law.
The law also provides that offenders are liable to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years—or both upon conviction.
NAN
