Kwara Assembly Moves to Toughen Laws on Illegal Charcoal Production

Kwara Assembly Moves to Toughen Laws on Illegal Charcoal Production

 

 

In a bid to curb environmental degradation and promote sustainable development, the Kwara State House of Assembly has passed the Charcoal Production Prohibition Amendment Bill 2025 for second reading. The bill, sponsored by Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, seeks to tighten existing laws by imposing stiffer penalties on individuals and groups engaged in illegal charcoal production.

 

Speaking during plenary, Rasaq noted that illegal charcoal production has become a serious threat to the state’s forests, contributing to massive deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and the worsening of climate change. “We cannot continue to watch our forests disappear. This bill is necessary to protect our environment, safeguard public health, and ensure that illegal operators are held accountable,” he said.

 

Lawmakers across the Assembly, including Rukayat Shittu (Owode Onire, Asa Constituency) and Ariola Fatima (Ilorin East Constituency), expressed strong support for the amendment. They emphasized that the illegal charcoal trade not only threatens the environment but also deprives the state of revenue that could be invested in development projects.

 

The proposed law, if enacted, will introduce longer prison sentences, heftier fines, and the confiscation of equipment used in illegal charcoal production. These measures aim to deter offenders and signal the state’s commitment to environmental conservation.

 

Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu, while reading the resolution of the House, directed the Clerk to make arrangements for further legislative actions on the bill and report progress to the Assembly promptly. He also urged all stakeholders, including local communities and environmental agencies, to support the initiative.

 

Environmental experts have lauded the move, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of existing regulations. According to a recent report by the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, illegal charcoal production has accelerated deforestation rates in the state, contributing to soil erosion, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

 

The Kwara State Assembly’s action reflects a growing national and global concern over deforestation and climate change, signaling a proactive approach to environmental governance. Citizens and civil society groups are expected to play a key role in monitoring enforcement and ensuring the bill achieves its intended objectives.

 

With these strengthened measures, Kwara State aims to set a precedent for other states in Nigeria, balancing economic activities with ecological preservation, and demonstrating a firm commitment to sustainable development.