From Kemi Yesufu, Abuja

 

The House of Representatives has described as highly unacceptable, the estimated $500 million lost to the illegal exportation of wood from Nigeria to China.

Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee investigating the massive deforestation and alleged corruption in the management of the  environment and its effect on climate change, Bede Eke, said investigation by the Committee showed a huge gap in the records of imported woods by the Chinese Customs and that of export by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS)

Eke who spoke at a public hearing by the Committee on Thursday, explained that there was a difference of $500 million between the figures presented by the NCS and its Chinese counterpart as the amount made from the trade of wood between both countries.

He therefore called on relevant government agencies, especially the NCS to block the loopholes exploited by conniving Customs officers and unscrupulous exporters to fleece the country of much needed revenue.

He also called on the Customs Service to immediately stop the export of wood that is not approved for export by the Nigerian government. The lawmaker opined that years of poor regulation of the country’s forest resources had led to a devastating level of deforestation in many parts of the country and its attendant consequences such Fulani herdsmen and farmers clashes.

He stressed the need for prompt and sustainable interventions to save the country from further exploitation by Chinese businessmen.

The Committee chairman also called on the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to ensure that only companies with verifiable credentials are allowed to conduct export business in the country.    

The call came after his disclosure that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) made a submission to the Committee, which shows that over 95 percent of Chinese wood exporters operating within Nigeria have never paid tax.

In response, acting Deputy Controller General of Customs for Tariff and Trade, Alu Robert said the Service shouldn’t bear the blame for monies lost as the NCS deals with licensed customs agents.

He reiterated that the NCS had seized tones of woods not meant for export from Chinese businessmen, with the seized consignments promptly handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).