Timber inspection bureau to sanction illegal loggers

The Forest Products Inspection Bureau (FPIB) on Tuesday reminded all timber operators that it is an offence to purchase or process illegally produced logs, and warned that offenders would be sanctioned.

A statement issued in Takoradi on Tuesday, the FPIB said it had come to the notice of the Forestry Commission that volumes of logs harvested from the country's forests far exceed the prescribed annual allowance cut of one million cubic metres.

"This over-exploitation of the country's forest resources, if not checked, will eventually lead to complete depletion of its timber resources." It further directed all wood processing mills to ensure that logs being processed are covered by proper log measurement and conveyance certificates. The FPIB requested millers to co-operate with the directive to ensure the sustainability of the country's timber resources.

In another development, the FPIB has directed saw millers to reserve 20 percent of their sawn timber output for the domestic market in accordance with section 18 (H) of Act 547 and Regulation 16 of LI. 1649.

It said the Ministry of Mines, Lands and Forestry has therefore directed all lumber retailers and users to contact saw millers within their respective districts or regions for their lumber requirements. The FPIB also warned the public that it is an offence to deal in chain-sawn lumber and warned that offenders would be prosecuted.