Forestry commission to be given more autonomy - Minister

Accra (Greater Accra), 12th May ?99 ?

The Forestry Commission is to be re-established as a corporate entity with greater autonomy to implement national policies and regulations that govern the sector, Dr. Christina Amoako-Nuama, Minister of Lands and Forestry, said today.

Inaugurating the Timber Rights Evaluation Committee (TREC) she pointed out that it was not the original intention of her ministry to re-organise the Commission but the 1992 Constitution now makes it imperative to re-establish the commission.

Dr. Amoako-Nuama said a legislation to re-establish the Commission has been placed before Parliament. When it is approved, it will have the constitutional responsibility to regulate and manage the utilisation of the country's forest and wildlife resources.

The seven-member TREC, has Mr E O Nsenkyire, Chief Conservator of Forests as chairman. It will evaluate applications for timber rights and make recommendations to the Forestry Commission for award of such rights to the most suitable applicants,

Dr. Amoako-Nuama blamed the depletion of the country's timber resources on lack of adequate technical capability of the Lands Commission in granting timber leases and concessions in the past.

She charged the committee to operate within a reasonable period and ensure that all evaluation reports, together with recommendations, are submitted to the Commission within 42 days of receipt of applications.

The minister reminded members to approach their duties with a sense of commitment and objectivity and exercise fairness in all their dealings with prospective applicants.

Alhaji Collins Dauda, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry, reminded members that they will be living up to expectation if they become transparent and keep to the stipulated period of 42 days in processing applications.