The Federal Government has unveiled plans to set up the nation’s inaugural bamboo processing factory in Karara, Kogi State. The facility aims to amplify the production of various bamboo-based commodities, including toothpicks and other related products.
During the commemoration of the 2023 World Bamboo Day in Abuja, Balarebe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, highlighted the government’s intention to establish improved seedling nurseries crucial for sustaining the bamboo processing project.
Advocating for the active participation of stakeholders across the bamboo value chain, the minister emphasized the significance of cultivating bamboo for Nigeria’s sustained development.
Lawal underscored the multifaceted benefits of bamboo utilization in the country, emphasizing its role in environmental preservation, ecosystem conservation, climate change mitigation, and employment generation.
“Bamboo not only plays a crucial role in combating climate change, but it also offers opportunities for economic growth and poverty alleviation,” Radio Nigeria quoted Lawal as saying on its website.
In alignment with the government’s Hope Agenda, Lawal emphasized the ministry’s collaboration with local and international partners, including the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR). This partnership aims to foster the development of bamboo and rattan sectors in Nigeria, focusing on augmenting forest and ecosystem conservation, livelihood enhancement, market access, and overall value chain development.
Lawrence Adigwe, overseeing the Permanent Secretary’s office in the Ministry, emphasized that the event served as a platform to unveil and celebrate the substantial achievements of bamboo as a valuable resource.
Expressing collaboration intentions, Gene Zhang, the General Secretary of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, pledged China’s support in collaborating with Nigeria to bolster the bamboo industry’s development.
