From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution in Lokoja, Idris Miliki Abdul has condemned in its entirety the recent ban on charcoal production in Kogi state.
The Executive Director in a statement made available to Journalists in Lokoja on Monday, described the pronouncement by the commissioner of Environment as an after thought and misplacement of priority.
The Human Rights Activist said that media reports in the last few days on the development, suggest that those who came up with that reactionary pronouncement are not in tune with the reality of the situation on ground.
Miliki Abdul noted that “In the first instance is the production of charcoal an illegal deal? Are we in a military regime in Kogi state? Despite the numerous environmental challenges facing the state, that is not being attended to by the Ministry of Environment. Where was the stake holders meeting that agree on that draconian policy? Was it ever discussed at the state executive council meeting and when? How can someone wake up from sides of bed to say nobody can transport charcoal across the 21, local governments in the state.
” We call on the state governor to talk to his appointees to consult widely before making policies that doesn’t have any meaningful impact and unsustainable on the people.
” If the people can produce charcoal, why can’t they buy and bring to the state for their usage, if any one travel to federal capital territory, charcoal is every where. We call on the commissioner and the Ministry of Environment to reason and rescind from this unpopular policy of ban on production, transportation, usage of charcoal in the state, in the interest of people’s peace and economic realities in Nigeria and Kogi state.
