Kwara government approves reopening of forests for sawmillers

Saturday, April 12, 2025 - Kwara State Government has officially announced the re-opening of forests in the state for sawmilling and forestry related activities.

The official reopening, however, comes with stringent conditions aimed at preserving the forests as crucial natural resources for generations to come.

State Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, announced this in Ilorin as part of the government’s position while interacting with officials and key-stakeholders of saw millers, chainsaw operators and plank sellers in the state on Friday.

Recall that the forests were declared closed in January 2025 to enhance natural regeneration of the forests and allow the ministry a gainful opportunity to engage relevant stakeholders towards adopting best practices while pursuing economic activities within the forests’ terrain.

Declaring the forests open, Hajia Buge stated that the initial closure was inevitable and also in response to international reports on the status of Kwara on climate related matters.

“The forests play key roles in climate change and in sustaining human lives, hence, we need to take proactive measures to mitigate the consequences of deforestation.

“Henceforth, it is a crime to cut economic trees, without replanting,” the commissioner stated, lamenting how unfair human activities have negatively impacted shea butter and locust beans trees, which are both crucial to economic sustenance in both the rural and urban areas.

The Commissioner further urged the attendees to remain committed to their pact with the government, which includes proper registration to practice as sawmillers, renewal by already registered companies and strict adherence to the principle of planting five trees in replacement of any tree that is cut down for any purpose while they should also embrace the use of commercial waste management companies in disposing their waste rather than setting them on fire.

Buge equally warned that culprits, including unregistered operators, would be prosecuted, in line with the extant laws of the state, while that licenses of such companies would be revoked.