January 14, 2022
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
Yesterday the 14th January 2022, the House of Parliament also debated and passed into law “The Forestry (Amendment) Act, 2022”. The Bill now seeks to amend the Forestry Act of 1988, and to provide for other related matters.
Explaining the importance of the Bill to Members of Parliament, the Minister of Environment Prof. Dr. Foday M. Jaward said the Forestry Act of 1988 has never been reviewed or amended since its inception in 1988. He added that reviewing the Act would help the country to address the challenges faced by the environment and the forest coupled with deforestation.
In his submission, the Parliamentary Chairman on Environment Hon. Yusuf Mackery said the Bill is “non-controversial” and supported the amendment of the Bill to eliminate the challenges faced by the environment.
Hon. Sahr Charles also supported the forestry amendment and spoke about the positive effect the amendment would address.
Hon. Dr. Mark Mahmoud Kalokoh advised that the Bill be sent to Legislative Committee for further scrutiny.
Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh said for the effective transformation of the forest, proper and effective laws be established and touched on several laws dealing with forestry.
The Leader of the Main Opposition Hon. Chernor M. Bah equally encouraged members from the opposition to support the smooth sailing of the Bill into law. He also encouraged the minister to quickly address the challenges of the environment and the forest.
“We need strict laws and these laws must be implemented. Our forest and environment must be protected”, he said.
Concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie also encouraged Members of Parliament to expeditiously pass the Bill into law. He reiterated that the protection of the environment and the forest is very instrumental towards climate change.