By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN), Benue State Chapter, has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to withhold assent to the Benue State Forestry, Mining, and Solid Minerals Commission Bill, citing what it described as serious flaws that could undermine sustainable forest management in the state.

The call followed an emergency executive meeting of the association held in Makurdi where members unanimously adopted a resolution expressing strong concerns over the Bill recently passed by the Benue State House of Assembly on April 10.

In the resolution signed by the State Chairman, Mr. Kperaikyer Apir, and Secretary, Mr. Okpe Owoicho, the association warned that the legislation in its current form “is injurious to the forestry sector” and should not be signed without significant amendments.

FAN specifically faulted the Bill for failing to define the roles of professional Forest Officers, noting that such omission could result in forestry operations being handled by general administrators or mining officials without the required technical expertise.

The association also raised concerns over what it termed vague permit categories, pointing out that the Bill did not clearly distinguish between tree-felling, timber trading, charcoal production, and bamboo extraction permits, a gap it said could lead to jurisdictional conflicts.

It further criticized the Bill for omitting the role of the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) in royalty collection, warning that such exclusion could weaken accountability and revenue tracking in the sector.

On transparency, the group lamented the absence of a publicly accessible register of licenses and permits, stating that this loophole could encourage forgery and illegal operations within the forestry value chain.

The meeting also highlighted the lack of provisions for the registration of forestry equipment such as chainsaws and milling machines, which it warned would “directly facilitate illegal timber operations” across the state.

Beyond regulatory concerns, FAN said the Bill places undue emphasis on revenue generation while neglecting conservation, stressing that there were no clear guidelines on buffer zones, reforestation obligations, or protection of endangered tree species.

The association further described as “the most injurious flaw” the absence of a defined fee schedule, noting that leaving levies and royalties to the discretion of the Executive Secretary without legislative backing could lead to abuse and arbitrary charges.

While urging the Governor to return the Bill for revision, FAN insisted that critical amendments, including clear definitions of forestry roles, structured permit categories, conservation measures, and transparent fee schedules, must be incorporated, warning that failure to do so would “accelerate deforestation, fuel corruption, and cripple the state’s ability to manage its forest resources sustainably.”