Kampala — National Forest Authority (NFA) has realised Shs52 million from the June public auction of timber, Shs36m less than what they had anticipated.

NFA's Spokes person Gasta Kiyingi, told the Daily Monitor on June 3, that NFA had anticipated about Shs88m from this month's auction that took place at their head offices in Nakawa, Kampala on June 1.

A total of 505 lots of timber containing 16,000 pieces of wood with a total volume of 390 cubic meters were auctioned.

Species

23 different species were auctioned including Pine, Muvule, Mahogany and other construction wood in assorted sizes. The most expensive lots were Pine and Mahogany and Cypress, which is one of the soft woods.

The three species raised approximately Shs30 million. The June acution marks the 27th Public Auction of timber NFA has held since the practice started years ago. Last month, NFA auctioned 486 lots of timber, each containing 17,672 pieces and a running meter of 62,381. Shs63 million was realised.

Kiyingi blamed the decline in returns from this month's auction on the low value of timber compared to last month's.

He also said that NFA had not been very vigilant in confiscating illegal timber in the past month. Timber auctioning at NFA is done on a monthly basis.

All the proceeds from the auction are directed to maintaining the activities of NFA like clearing land and replanting trees in harvested areas.