The Kwara State House of Assembly has called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to ensure strict enforcement of the Kwara State Charcoal Production Prohibition Law and to prosecute offenders.
This resolution followed a motion presented during Tuesday’s plenary session titled “Urgent Need to Enforce Existing Laws against Charcoal Production and Transportation in Kwara.” The motion was moved by Halidu Danbaba, representing the APC Kaiama/Kemaji/Wajibe Constituency.
Danbaba emphasized that charcoal production significantly contributes to deforestation, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and adversely affects local livelihoods, particularly those dependent on forest resources.
He highlighted that unchecked exploitation of forests for charcoal is rapidly depleting forest reserves, especially in Kaiama and surrounding areas, posing long-term threats to climate resilience, food security, and water availability.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the lack of enforcement and compliance with existing environmental laws and forestry regulations designed to control logging and charcoal production.
Danbaba warned that without decisive action to regulate these activities, the state risks irreversible ecological damage, increased disease vulnerability, loss of lives, and diminished revenue.
Reading the resolutions, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu urged the governor to direct the Attorney-General, Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Environment to ensure rigorous enforcement of the law to serve as a deterrent.
The House also called on the Ministry of Environment and the State Environmental Protection Agency to intensify surveillance immediately to halt illegal charcoal production and transportation, especially in notorious areas such as Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas and other parts of the state.
Lawmakers unanimously directed the House Committee on Environment and Forestry to conduct an investigative oversight visit to Kaiama and other affected locations to assess the scale of illegal charcoal activities and recommend further legislative or policy measures.
The Speaker further urged the Ministry of Communication to enhance public sensitization on the immediate and long-term consequences of large-scale charcoal production on citizens’ welfare.
Meanwhile, a bill to re-enact the Area Courts Law, providing for the constitution and administration of Area Courts in Kwara, passed its first reading during the plenary session.
