Log exports double in 2014…Commissioner of Forests should face “serious” parliamentary scrutiny - Harmon

Log exports double in 2014…Commissioner of Forests should face “serious” parliamentary scrutiny – Harmon

Oct 29, 2014 News

Commissioner of Forests, James Singh, should face challenging questions with regard to a recent report which

Joseph Harmon

indicates that within the last eight months, Guyana’s log export figures have doubled – in stark contrast to previous statements by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) that the nation’s forests are not being exploited.
This is the opinion of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Executive Member, Joseph Harmon, who sits on the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources.
Harmon disclosed that while the Committee is yet to meet, when it actually does, he will strongly recommend for the Commissioner to be brought before the committee to answer some “serious questions.”
According to the Forest Products Development and Marketing Council of Guyana Inc. (FPDMC) in its August 2014 Market/Export Report, Guyana’s log exports for the first eight months of this year have more than doubled when compared to the same period in 2013.
The report explained that an astounding 86,250 cubic metres of logs were exported between January and August. This raked in US$14.5M. However, when compared to last year, for the same period, the report showed that 41,518 cubic metres were exported and this earned over US$7M.
The report also reveals that for this year, up until August, log exports made up about 46 percent of the total forest exports as against the 30 percent for last year.
“The report shows clearly that the figures have doubled, and we are still in October…that in itself speaks to the extent of the exploitation of the forests,” Harmon stated.
“I have said before that I have no confidence in the Commissioner of Forests. He continues to be a sore disappointment at such a pivotal agency. What will he have to say now? There is nothing that he could say to justify the exportation of logs being doubled. In my opinion, the resources of this country are not being competently managed. In this case we cannot rely on the Guyana Forestry Commission for an accurate assessment,” the Opposition parliamentarian lamented.
He stated that while some parliamentary sectoral committees have already commenced work, the Committee on Natural Resources is still to meet. He said that when it does, certain standing matters would most likely be organized and dealt with, but given the findings of the recent report it is imperative for the Commissioner provide answers to the nation.

Commissioner of Forests, James Singh

“The Commissioner may have wriggled out of a debate, but he will not be allowed to escape parliamentary scrutiny. Once the committee meets, I will certainly be the one proposing the pertinent questions,” Harmon emphasised.
There has been an increasing debate over the exportation of logs and whether the Forestry Commission is allowing certain companies to exploit the country’s resources.
The Guyana Forestry Commission which is entrusted to be the regulatory body over the country’s forestry resources has insisted that it has a handle on activities, with harvesting still way below expectations and targets.
While Government has introduced a phased increase in royalties and taxes on log exports, there is nothing in the law to stop the trade. However, in light of the report, Harmon said that it clearly refutes the comments and claims by the agency that it has a “handle on things.”
According to the report, for August of this year, out of the US$2.27M earned, exports to China accounted
for US$1.9M alone with 10,000 cubic metres. India followed next with US$311,000 and 1,537 cubic metres. Some 60 cubic metres went to Hong Kong in August, earning US$12,681.
The report said that logs continue to be in demand by the Asian market with a “valuable contribution towards the total export earnings for the month of August 2014. China was the top earner for logs with a solid contribution of a total volume of 86.28% and a total value of 85.75%.”
According to the FPDMC report, the figures for August alone indicated that forest products continue to earn favourably, “making a sterling contribution towards the total export earnings during the month of August 14. Logs made a contribution of 54.48%; sawn lumber earned a fair share with 27.47%; round wood and fuel wood made an input of 8.51%; split wood absorbed a segment of 4.76%; plywood secured a portion of 4.66%; value added products made a marginal contribution of 0.11%.”
The month of August 2014, in comparison to the previous month of July 2014, recorded a reduction in the export of forest products earning by 24.67%. “The comparative year to date figure of August 2014 and August 2013 recorded an increase in the total forest export earnings by 36.39%.”
The main goal of the FPDMC is to promote and enhance the sustainable growth and competitiveness of the forest products industry through targeted industry development initiatives.