South Sudan pledges to fight against widespread illegal logging

March 11, 2011 (ABYEI) – The government of South Sudan said on Friday that it will embark on legal measures in a special exercise to stop illicit logging for commercial purposes without obtaining approval from legitimate authorities.

The government made the remark following disturbing reports that a considerable number of officials, especially at county and state levels, operate with impunity, with some benefitting financially from the permits they issue to charcoal burners or timber dealers to establish settlements inside forest reserves.

Anne Itto, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Friday expressed her annoyance by the behavior of some of the officials and said her government will not tolerate the misuse of the country’s resources for individual benefit.

”It is not possible for people to continue cutting down trees and dwell in forests for six months without being intercepted, unless they have the backing of authorities.”

“Enough is enough dishonest forest officers will face justice,’’ said Ito explaining the role of the law enforcement agents in the entire process of exposing the corrupt elements.

The minister said the police would help investigate and collect indisputable evidence about the involvement of forest officials in the scam.

Legal procedures will be observed, she said, and that all those who have misused their authorities will be dealt with accordingly. ”The evidence will clear doubts on individual involvement,” he added.

”Besides, local leadership will be involved in sustainable harvesting of forest products. There is no more monopoly of power,” she clarified.

The undersecretary for forestry, Jaden Emelio Tongun, said that they will catch those who have been accused of clearing forests with the blessing of the ministry’s officials, saying they will face the law.

”We (the southern government) are ready to share information with anyone regarding abuse of office by officers in the forestry division. None will be spared. Serious corrective measures must be employed to avert serious impact on the environment,” explained Tongun, before confirming that the ministry had dispatched some officers to investigate a myriad of methods involved to sustain corruption in the forestry sector.

”An investigative team from the headquarters has been sent to different states and counties to ‘dig deep’ and authenticate media reports on corruption allegations in logging. Although communities are not willing to share information, the truth will be established, and this menace will come to an end,” said the senior ministry official.

Sudan Tribune has conducted a series of interviews in the past on wanton destruction of forests through excessive harvesting of banned sandalwood and other tree varieties as a mechanism to extort bribery.

Teak wood had been popular among illegal loggers as it holds a high price when exported. The lucrative business seems to have attracted many actors, and sophisticated means of communication through the internet

Tongun warned that the destruction of the forest cover, especially near catchment areas, was suicidal because once water sources dry up the consequences would be immense and a larger section of the community would be affected.

(ST)