The Federal Government has increased charges on wood export from Nigeria by 150 per cent for indigenous exporters to N250,000 from N100,000 per 20 feet container.
Similarly, the charges on wood export by foreigners was increased by 350 per cent, from N150,000 to N500,000 per 20 feet container.
Furthermore, the federal government has restricted wood export from the country to a maximum of 200 containers per year per company.
These new directives are contained in policy guidelines issued by the Department of Forestry under the Federal Ministry of Environment for the production, processing and exports of processed wood.
Speaking on the development, the Secretary of the Tropical Wood Exporters Association of Nigeria (TWEAN), Mr Joe Odiase said that the new policy guidelines have come to further regulate the wood sector in Nigeria adding that this will lead to the creation of 5 million jobs along the wood value chain.
In the guideline titled, ‘Policy guideline for the production, processing and export of processed wood’, the federal government also noted that all commercial wood processors or exporters in Nigeria shall organize themselves and form a processed wood producers, processors or exporters association respectively.
Part of the policy reads: “Based on the sustainability principle, the Ministry from time to time shall determine the amount of processed wood to be exported and export charges paid to government.
“Export charges paid to the government will be N250,000 per 20 feet container by indigenous exporters and N500,000 per 20 feet container for foreign exporters and no company shall be issued a permit for more than 200 containers per year”.
