An integrated approach to forestry sector impact assessment (FSIA) in Nigeria

Abstract

The forestry sector is an active sector of the Nigerian economy which impacts, and is impacted by activities in other sectors of the economy. These impacts may be social, economic and biophysical in nature. Unfortunately, operators/stakeholders in this sector have done very little or nothing at mitigating these impacts which are often adverse, particularly, the logging-conversion continuum of the a sector. Effective Forestry Sector Impact Assessment (FSIA) would score products and processes, skills and capital management along the scale of environmental threats and growth opportunities. A "wih- win" situation emerges when environmental and economic goals become balanced and complimentary. The cost effectiveness of inputs required to reform the Nigerian forest industry and the benefits to associated communities are critical. For many of the informal set-ups, including small and medium sized sawmills, fumiture factories and so on, the cost of resolving the principal environmental problems (e.g. wastes, dust & noise) is affordable with the overall benefits exceeding the costs. A potent determinant.