Lumber Committee presents report

Takoradi, Sept. 8, GNA - A nine-member Committee appointed by the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) to check shortage of lumber and high lumber prices on the local market presented its report to the Area Manager of TIDD, Mr F.E. Boachie at the weekend.

The Committee, which was under the chairmanship of Mr A. E. Aggrey of Western Veneer Lumber Company (WVLC), was also asked to draw up modalities to phase out chain-saw lumber operations and to monitor stocks of chain-saw lumber at the local marketing centres.

It was also to identify sales outlets of sawmills as well as to establish grades, quality and prices for lumber at the market centres. The Committee recommended that pre-financing of chain-saw operators by Board Sellers Association should stop forthwith.

It directed that Timber Utilization Permit (TUP) holders should be monitored closely by the Forestry Services Division (FSD) to ensure that they produced for the local lumber market.

The Committee recommended that saw millers, who have not as yet started producing downstream products should be compelled to supply the 20 per cent required of them by law.

It suggested that other saw millers, who are supposed to supply 100 per cent lumber to the local market should be monitored to achieve success since those, who supply 20 per cent of their lumber products are complaining of pressure from government for further processing to add value to their products.

The Committee said lapses in the registration of lumber retailers by the TIDD should be corrected.

It suggested the establishment of a hotline for informants on chain-saw operators.

Receiving the report on behalf of the Chief Director of the TIDD, Mr Boachie commended members of the Committee for submitting its report within two weeks.