13 August 2007
Maputo — The illegal export of unprocessed logs is still rife in the Port of Nacala, in the northern region of Mozambique, reports Monday's issue of the daily paper "Noticias".
Despite the existing country's legislation, that effectively bans the export of unprocessed precious hardwood, this trade continues to flourish with the authorities seeming unable to stop this illegal activity for the dismay of some licensed operators.
Currently, there are in Nampula 50 inspectors working at the Forestry and Wildlife Provincial Services, but they are facing a number of problems in terms of resources, such as patrol vehicles to control the illegal logging, that remains unchecked in that province.
"Noticias" claims to be in possession of fresh evidence of huge amounts of logs packed in containers awaiting export through the Nacala port to the international markets in Asia, more precisely to China, which amounts to a blatant affront to the Mozambican authorities.
Other sources have denounced that illicit deals within the premises of the Nacala port involve some officials from government institutions.
For instance, there are some operators who, in connection with some highly placed officials from the Agriculture Ministry, Customs and other government institutions, are trading large volumes of unprocessed hardwood at the Nacala port with companies suspected to be operating illegally in Mozambique.
The Mozambican government has introduced a number of laws seeking the protection, preservation, development, rational and sustainable use of the forest and wildlife for the country's economic, social and ecologic gains. Under this legislation it is compulsory to process all precious hardwood prior to its export.
However, these laws are often ignored by a number of national and foreign operators, who insist on exporting huge quantities of unprocessed logs, a situation that, in most cases, involves influential officials from institutions in charge of overseeing this trade.
The banned species include ironwood and jambire.
Other species that in the past could be exported unprocessed, such as the cases of rosewood, leadwood, among others, continue to find their way, unprocessed, into the international markets
Most of the precious hardwood in Mozambique can be found in the northern provinces of Zambezia, Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Sofala, where one finds both legal and illegal operators.
Commenting on this issue, the head of the Nampula Forestry and Wildlife Services, Aristides Muhate, acknowledged that there are some operators breaking the Mozambican legislation concerning export of logs, and complained that the inspections are being hindered by the lack of adequate resources.
To make his point, he explained that in the last few years there was a significant increase in the number of licensed small operators, but this is not reflected in the expected increase of processed timber.
He explained that from 2001 to 2006 there was an increase in the export of logs. While in 2001 the exports reached 5,000 cubic meters, this volume increased to 10,000 in 2006 and 45,000 cubic meters in 2006.
On the other hand, the industrial production has reached only 1,000 cubic meters in 2006, compared to just over 6,000 in 2005.
In recent years the Mozambican authorities have arrested a number of operators across the country who were found involved in illegal logging and deals. The criminals, however, have changed tactics and today they are reported to be using other sophisticated means to avoid detection.
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