By Damilola Alamu
The Kwara State Charcoal Associations under the aegis of Harmony Charcoal Producers and Marketers Association has appealed to the state government to lift embargo on production of the charcoal in the state.
The Secretary of the association, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Alalikinla made the call while addressing newsmen in Ilorin during the week.
He charged the state government to reduce the tarrif on a bag of the commondity.
“Despite the embargo, the state government is still collecting tariff from us. We are law abiding people and we are transacting legal business. The hike in the tarrif has jeopadised our business.
“Charcoal business is our major source of generating income to cater for our children and the entire family. If they now say we should stop the business, I think it would be right to give us another job,” he stated.
He alleged that the foreigners were indirectly favoured by the authority in charge to produce and export the product to other countries at the detriment of the local producers.
While commenting on deforestation, he assured that the association would continue to abide by the rules and regulations guiding the forestry in the state.
“We appealing to the state government to have mercy on us. Some of us have taken loans to execute our business. We are ready to abide by the rules and regulations guiding our forestries.
“Some of our colleagues are counting losses due to huge debts incurred from Micro Finance Banks, SEAP, LAPO. If nothing is done on time this might lead to premature death, ” he stated.
He said that some of them have started the business years ago and it would be difficult to start another business to sustain ourselves now.
It would be recalled that the former Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has signed into law an amended bill prohibiting the production, transportation, storage or sale of charcoal in the state.
