In Sierra Leone, timber associations pay Le 4 Billion
The Agriculture Community and Timber Development Association (ACUTIDA) and the Association of Timber Harvesters, Producers and Exporters (ATHA) have jointly paid the sum of Le 4 billion as tax to government just six months after the lifting of the ban on logging.
The information was relayed to this press by the Chairman of ACUTIDA, Allan Barrie, during a recent interview.
Mr. Barrie also revealed that they have distributed a total of 30,000 timber seedlings to all the districts in the country in coordination with the District Forest Officers. The seedlings, he said, are meant for the deforested areas.
The Chairman further disclosed that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the office of the president on timber extraction nationwide. “We remain focused and supportive of president Koroma’s Agenda for Prosperity,” he said, adding that they have been working in cordial relationship with the communities by respecting their customs and traditions.
Secretary-General of ACUTIDA, Alhaji Bah, urged members to be law abiding by licensing their machines, condemning timber smuggling and noting that they are working in concert with the police and foreign bodies to sanitize the timber industry in the country.
Alhaji Bah concluded by calling on government to pay more attention to them as they have been creating job opportunities for hundreds of youths in the country.
By Raymond Bai Kamara
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