NFA ready to sell impounded charcoal
GULU, October 19, 2023 – The National Forestry Authority [NFA] has selected Intrepid Recovery Associates Limited as the best bidder to sell the charcoal impounded in Northern Uganda.
The charcoal was impounded in June this year at the different checkpoints in Omoro district, Gulu City, and Amuru district following a presidential directive.
The NFA Range Manager for Aswa Region, John Girabo told this reporter in an interview that Gulu is stranded with a total of 6,673 bags of charcoal impounded during the enforcement of a presidential directive against sale of the forest products.
He also said a businessman appeared before Gulu Chief Magistrate, Said Barigye in June and was charged with three counts of illegal transportation of forest produce contrary to sections 32[1], [a], and sections 34[1] & [2] of the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act of 2003.
According to Girabo, Intrepid Recovery Associates Limited has already completed the pre-auctioning task which included inspection of the impounded bags of charcoal and meeting the the Uganda Revenue Authority [URA], which is expected to receive the money on behalf of government.
The auctioning is expected in the next two weeks once the contractor has advertised the product in line with Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets.
Meanwhile, the Minister for State for Northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiyocwiny had asked the government to supply the charcoal impounded to learning institutions.
At least 51 charcoal dealers are being remanded in prison in the districts of Gulu, Nwoya, and Lamwo for violating a presidential directive against charcoal business in Northern Uganda.
The enforcement of the directive according to Girabo, faces challenges of lack of funds for fuel to conduct operations and regular patrols in the charcoal burning hotspots.
“We have 83 forest reserves in the region but the enforcement team is only getting 400 litres of fuel. This doesn’t take us even half a month and right now we don’t have fuel to move out,” he added.
https://thecooperator.news/leaders-welcome-musevenis-executive-order-on-charcoal-business/
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