By Calvin Quays|Contributor
The Treasurer of the Liberia Timber Association (LibTA) has stressed the need for Liberians to be empowered in the timber sector for the preservation and protection of the Liberia’s Forest.
Madam Eliza D. J. Krouyauh stated that empowerment of Liberians in the timber sector will go a long way in appreciating the significant of forestry sector development and the impact to transform the socio and economic development of the people livelihood near the forest.
Madam Krouyauh made the statement Friday September10. 2020 when the association held a one day validation seminar for the development of a Liberia Tropical Timbers Manual for the tree species that are found in Liberia held in Sinkor.
According to her, there is a need to revisit various reports over the years from the forest sector to provide prepared understand of the kind of tree species available within the Liberia’s Forest and names of the various tree species as well as the historical nature of trees in the country’s forest.
She noted that the timber sector is declining since the establishment of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) process in the forest sector.
Madam Krouyauh maintained that empowering Liberians in the timber sector would transform the growth and development of logging and enhance the developmental drive of the country.
Meanwhile, the Former Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) John Woods said community forestry is not the best option to enhance forest development in the country.
Director Woods pointed out that Liberia forest resources should be used to attract investors in the timber industry to create sustainable jobs for the youthful population.
He noted that it is about time to make the timber industry vibrant through the processing of timber products rather than exporting logs from the country.
According to him, there are 6.7 million hectares of forest in Liberia currently as compared to 4.3 hectares forests which were known before and there are 18 billion trees in the Country’s forest now concerning Liberia forest resources.
The seminar which was sponsored by the United Kingdom Aid from the United Kingdom Government under the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate programme(FGMC) brought together participants from the Nature & Development Foundation(NDF), Liberia Timber Association(LibTA), Liberia Chainsaw and Timber Dealers Union(LICSATDU) and Kumasi Wood Cluster
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