The chairman of the
Association of Wood re-exporters and Forest Users in The Gambia, Lamin Barrow,
has expressed appreciation and joy over the decision made by President Yahya Jammeh
to extend the wood re-exports trade.
According to him, this has once again shown the love and good heart the president has for the youths of the country.
It would be recalled that President Jammeh re-assured the Association of the Wood re-exporters and Forest Users in The Gambia that the deadline for the re-export trade would be extended once more to December 2012.
The Gambia leader made this pronouncement while addressing over five hundred youths all members of the Association of Wood Re-exporters and Forest Users in The Gambia who were in Kanilai over the weekend to give him a helping hand in his farming activities.
The Gambia leader also told the wood re-exporters that the re-export trade will be extended to December with condition, that members of the association will be a watchdog of the forest for its safety and protection.
The members of the associations should redouble their efforts in the control and monitoring of the forest to avoid any malpractice in the forest, he said.
He also called on the forestry department to be working in close collaboration with the association of wood re-exporters in the interest of the country while advising them to be vigilant and not to allow any exploitation of the forest.
The president noted that it is the responsibility of all the patriotic citizens to ensure that the country’s natural resources are well protected for the interest of the future generation.
The Gambian leader also stated that he wouldn’t want anybody to have a licence for the wood re-export business without being a member of the association.
He used the opportunity to thank the youth members of the association for joining him at his farm.
Speaking at the farm, Lamin Barrow said that since the formation of the association, they have been working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and the Department of Forestry for the protection of the forest.
Chairman Barrow used the opportunity to thank his members across the country for joining the president in weeding his groundnut farm.
He noted that their participation was a clear indication of their commitment, dedication and love for the president.
He added that his association members would continue to be law-abiding and uphold or go by the conditions attached to the re-export trade.
Chairman Barrow also thanked the president for re-assuring them that the re-export trade will be extended to December.
The acting-director of forestry, Sarjo Fatojo, thanked the youth and the entire membership of the association for their participation in the work at the president’s farm.
He also said his department would work hand in glove with the association of wood re-exporters for the protection of the country’s forest.
