By Ragan M. Conteh
The Civil Society Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery (CSO Consortium) has urged the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Government to rethink of lifting the ban on timber logging.
According to the consortium, the government should rethink of lifting the ban because the Domestic Board Sellers Association has created over 800,000 jobs for young people nationwide.
The National Coordinator of the Civil Society Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery (CSO Consortium), Mr. William Sao-Lamin made the urge at the a news conference held at 12 Beoku Lane, Congo Cross in west end Freetown.
Mr. William Sao-Lamin stressed that the Consortium is calling on the government through the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment, Works and Public Assets, as well as the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Local Councils and other law enforcing institutions to seriously rethink its decision in the interest of Domestic Board Sellers Association, construction companies, carpentry workshops and the citizenry in addressing the issue.
Mr. Sao-Lamin said the public could recall that on the 21st May 2020, the Ministry of Works and Public Assets issued a press release informing law enforcing institutions of a periodic annual temporary ban of timber transportation from 1st June -30th September, 2020.
He said the ban also includes institutions, associations and individuals involved in timber logging, trade and exportation is to prevent undue damages and degradation of feeder roads and culverts, which is normally the case at that particular period in the year that can significantly impede the free movement of goods and services nationwide.
According to the Consortium’s National Coordinator, he would like the relevant authorities and institutions to institute a strategy that could address damages done to culverts, bridges, feeder roads, as well as to identify the types of vehicles that will plying those roads during the designated period instead of instituting a general ban on timber transportation and logging.
Mr. Sao-Lamin furthered that the Consortium called on government through the appropriate authorities to critically rethink its decision to lift the ban or give consideration to the Domestic Board Sellers Association with regards the ban.
He reiterated that the Domestic Board Sellers Association has created jobs for over 800,000 young people across the country, adding that over 700,000 direct beneficiaries solely depend on timber business as their source of income.
The Coordinator furthered that indirect beneficiaries are the citizens who benefit direct or indirectly since they all use timber to construct dwelling houses, make different types of furniture, construct wood bridges, among others.
He said the Association has over the years contributed immensely to revenue generation in the country through various taxes prescribed by Government.
He concluded that as Civil Society Consortium, if what they have proposed is hearkened to by the government, and a proper monitoring system instituted, they will be able to address the issues they have highlighted.
In his submission, the Communication Officer of Civil Society Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery, Moses S. Mambu said the consortium was established in November 2016 after a National Conference on Community Engagement and Accountability held in August, 2016.
The initiative, according to Moses Mambu, stems from government’s commitment to working collaboratively with CSOs and community leaders. Lessons learnt during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone exposed significant demand on the side of government to place at the forefront of the response a deepened community engagement.
He said the consortium also engaged on bottom-top accountability and transparency through the strengthening of CSOs, existing community based structures and groups, give ownership for better informed decision-making that takes into account community concerns and expectations.
The Consortium also acknowledged the tremendous efforts made by government in ensuring that they manage and protect the country’s natural resources and environment.