Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources has accused government of encouraging illegal trade of protected forest resources following its decision to export confiscated round wood to China.
Director of Forestry, Clement Chilima, said on Monday that government set up a committee to ascertain on how government would make the best out of the protected species without necessarily opening up an illegal market for the same.
He said the department has been in touch with the Malawi embassy in China to establish the monetary value of the logs before commencing the government-to-government transaction.
“We have looked at and scrutinised all best alternatives on how to get rid of the logs and we have decided to export them to China following proper channels as a government-to-government affair. Once that is finalised, the rest will be sold to legitimate local firms for value addition,” Chilima explained.
He, however, could not give the monetary value for the wood which he said remains in good usable condition despite exposure to varying weather conditions since last year.
“The department is working hand in hand with the committee to ensure the Chinese deal is completed by the end of this month. We are aware selling them all locally can’t bring us much value,” Chilima added.
But Chairperson of Parliament Committee on Environment, Werani Chilenga, has slammed the decision and accused government of encouraging illicit trade.
“There is no way government can say it is not opening up to illegal trade when it decides to export an illegal commodity. We had already recommended to them to destroy the wood and I don’t expect them to mention anything on the export when we meet them,” he said.
“That is a very crooked way of doing things. You stop your own people from selling something but you sell it yourself. What kind of government is this?” he queried.
Asked on the latest regarding the wood from Zambia which were confiscated in the country, Chilima said they are engaging the Zambian government on whether to repatriate them or exporting it on their behalf.
In Malawi, round wood locally known as Mikula logs belong to protected species according to the Forests Act.
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