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Forest producers appeal for Gov’t bailout of industry
The recently formed Region Ten Forest Producers and Marketing Development Council is asking Government for a $2B bailout for the logging industry which they claim is in crisis “with no end in sight.”
The situation was summed up in a press release which stated, “We are suggesting the Government use this $2B to buy up all the lumber/logs from the industry and use same for the construction of turnkey homes and bridges.
Citing Pinewood importation as a worrying issue, as it impacts negatively on the sale of local wood, members are also demanding increased taxes on the foreign product.
“The industry presently has several thousand cubic meters of lumber with no buyers. The loggers have children to send to school just like the sugar workers and loans to repay just like the rice farmers.
The rice and sugar industries were granted massive bailouts by Government in the recently presented budget.
“What about us loggers?” the Region 10 Forest Producers and Marketing Development Council asked.
They also reminded that the industry employs thousands of people both directly and indirectly, and contributes significantly to the country’s GDP.
Another complaint by the loggers is the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) agreement, which they said has cut off their access to new state lands.
Members of the Region 10 Forest Producers and Marketing Development Council during their recent meeting.
It was claimed that the lands that are presently being issued is ‘’recycled” and in many instances not economically viable for logging.
Members of the Council also lamented the fact that no money was allocated for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Ituni/Kwakwani road, which they pointed out, is most important to them, as it is the sole route available to transport their products.
Treasurer of the Region Ten Forest Producers and Marketing Development Council Mark Goring said that the organization was formed late last year, and presently comprises members from all across Region Ten.
Goring pointed out that members recently held a meeting at the Linden Technical Institute which was chaired by AFC Member of Parliament Audwin Rutherford.
A number of issues were addressed, Goring said. He however pointed out that presently there is an excess of logs in the local market, as there has been a slump in sales.
The Council is presently in the process of completing a document to present to the relevant Government authorities soon, he added.
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