Hon. Sammy Weya - KEFGA National Vice-Chairman making his remarks during the sensitization and awareness creation event in Kisumu town recently.
Professor Anyang Nyong’o, Senator Kisumu county, has
called upon the government to recognise commercial forestry as a profitable and
sustainable business venture that can positively impact on the economy as well
as improve the livelihoods of rural populations through employment.
Prof’ Nyong’o noted that in the recent
past, several of the country’s natural forests have suffered deforestation due
to the high demand of wood. At the same time, the country’s largest paper plant
‘Pan Paper’ closed down mainly due to insufficient supply of wood, the basic
raw material.
“I am aware that about 60 percent of
Kenya’s wood supply comes from imports. This is proof enough that we need to
tap into the wood business which we are greatly losing out to our neighbouring
countries where we import from, said Prof Nyong’o.
He added at “In order to address the
country’s wood supply need, I believe that commercial forestry is the only
viable solution. I am therefore in full support of the sector and my appeal is
for my fellow parliamentarians to include commercial forestry in the Forest Bill.”
In the current Forest Bill, which is due
for debate in Parliament soon, private commercial forestry is hardly recognized
and most emphasis is on conservation of natural forests in the limited state
forests.
Prof’ Nyong’o was speaking during a
sensitization programme on the importance of Commercial Forestry hosted by the
Kenya Forest Growers Association (KEFGA), a national association championing
for commercial Forestry in the country.
Echoing his remarks was Member of Parliament,
Ndhiwa Constituency Hon’ Aghostinho Neto, who said that Kisumu and Nyanza
regions have conducive weather for tree growing and farmers should consider
venturing in tree farming more so because of the current building boom in the
country.
“I think this initiative by KEFGA has
the potential to positively impact the rural community. It should therefore be
supported by both the county and national government,” said Hon.Neto.
