SFM HOLDS FORUM FOR VALUE CHAIN ACTORS

BY ENAGU BLESSING

In a bid to encourage effective Forest Management through sustainable fuel wood production and consumption for multiple environmental benefits, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Global Environment Facility (GEF), Sustainable Fuel wood Management (SFM) Project has collaborated with Federal and State Stakeholders to organize a business forum for fuel wood value chain actors in Nigeria.

The 3-day SFM business forum  which was held at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, to build capacity of woodlot developers, fuel wood dealers, efficient woodstoves makers/sellers and Micro Finance Institutions drew participants from the 3 pilot states; Cross River, Delta and Kaduna.

Among other objectives, the forum sought to create a platform for critical stakeholders to share experiences and identify innovative business and financing models, brainstorm on the most appropriate market-based business models for energy-efficient woodstoves distribution, sensitize indigenous fuel wood dealers on the benefits of coordinated and sustainable supply/demand of fuel wood, as well as to discuss business models and financial schemes to be developed in order to optimize the environmental benefits of SFM.

According to the National Coordinator of the Project and Director, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Engineer Okon Ekpenyong, the 3 day Forum had met the objectives of bringing together all the fuel wood value chain actors to share knowledge and have a better understanding of their various roles in the Project.

He disclosed that participants also included members of the Project Steering Committee, manufacturers/dealers of clean cook-stoves from Bauchi, Niger and Lagos States and urged the Pilot States to plunge into field activities as well as disseminate the Project's messages to their various communities.

Presentations were made by the pilot State Coordinators on the level of project activities so far.

For Cross River State, the Focal Person, Dr. Edu Effiom informed that the state has agreed to take up nursery development of indigenous species which are; pycnanthus angolensis, terminalia ivorensis, madrick, acacia and khaya spp, adding that two exotic species; gmelina aborea and tectona grandis would also be developed.

She maintained that two central nurseries would be located in the North; Bateriko/Beebo and South; Ikot Ansa, highlighting communities that were ready for woodlot establishment to include: Ikot Ansa Calabar Municipality, Ekriba Offiong-Akpabuyo, Igwo - Obudu, Bateriko/Beebo- Boki and Esondor – Obubra Local Government Areas.

The State Focal Person explained further that the selection of communities was based on needs and the enlisted communities have been visited, plots assigned and GPS inspection has been carried out, assuring that additional communities would be included as the Project progresses.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Cross River State Forestry Commission, Hon. Bette Obi welcomed all the stakeholders and expressed satisfaction on the meeting which he noted was very important in building synergy among the fuel wood value chain actors.

He intimated that the Digital Governor of the State, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade is highly passionate about the Project as it seeks to sustainably manage the forest and pledged Government's support towards its success in the State.

Responding, a firewood dealer from Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Rev. Tony Essien said he has been enlightened on the health and environmental benefits of energy efficient cook-stoves.

Another Participant from Delta State, Mr. Godwin Oyakhilome, expressed that the meeting was an eye opener to the fact that unhealthy cooking/eating should be avoided for longevity of life. He noted that with the efficient cook-stove, depletion of forest would reduce as very small quantity of firewood/charcoal can achieve greater level of cooking.

In a vote of thanks, the Technical Adviser to the Project, Dr. David O. Ladipo remarked that Cross River State is known as the most environmentally compliant State in Nigeria, drawing recourse to the State being a pilot site for UNREDD+ Programme and the first to practice Community Forestry.

He admonished that the fire kindled by the impact of the workshop on the 3 participating States should be kept burning for long term achievement of the SFM objectives.

The meeting also featured presentations on Establishing efficient wood stoves market in Nigeria by MD, Sosai Renewable Energies Company, Kaduna, Hadiba Ali; Business and Financing Models: Micro Credits for wood stove sales in Rural Communities by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Association of Non-Bank Micro finance institutions in Nigeria, Daniel Ugbama, amongst others.

Highpoint of the meeting was outdoor Hands-on Woodstove Technology Demonstration and exhibitions of energy efficient cook-stoves by Elohika Stove, Envirofit, FEWES Green Enterprise.

Also present at the Forum were SFM Focal Persons for Kaduna and Delta State, Dr. Sa'ad Suleiman and Chukwuma B. Nwose.