An opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party Member of Parliament, Frank Kposowa has revealed that logging is not only causing deforestation but also destroying roads and bridges.
Since the ban was lifted on logging, it was agreed that for any logging done, a tree must be planted. According to the M.P, the hazards now caused are insurmountable as the trucks used to carry the logs destroy roads and bridges.
He mentioned areas like Badje Chiefdom in the Bo District and Bandawa, Gulama Mende, Ndia and Kissy Tongi in the Kailahun Districts as places where reckless and massive logging is done.
He also said that the rural people remain permanently distanced from markets for their produce which erodes incentives for increased productivity among rural people. More frightening, he continued, is the fact that the rules governing logging to plant a tree is not adhered to “at a time when researchers on desertification submit that the Sahara is advancing southward at a rate of 35km per annum and policy makers would remain indicted for a long time if urgent steps are not taken to arrest the present trend” Frank Kposowa also intimated that most of the trees are about 100 years old and the rate at which the logging is done recklessly would amount to drawing daggers with patriotism and eventful environmental catastrophe. Enquiries prove that the sum of Le 40,000 is paid to traditional authorities for logging and that the authorities pay blind eye to the wanton destruction on the forests.
By Ishmael Bayoh