1. Forest Resource Situation Assessment of Nigeria

Following the receipt of a letter (Reference GCP/INT/679/EC) from the FAO Representative in Nigeria (Hashin A-Ashami) by the Federal Director of Forestry, Abuja (Mr. G. O. Igugu), we (Messrs. Olaleye and Ameh) were contacted to prepare a Forest Resource Situation Assessment Report for Nigeria. To facilitate our release and speedy implementation of this assignment, necessary approvals were sought and obtained from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Abuja. A contract for the assignment was then signed by the Federal Director of Forestry, Mr. G. O. Igugu.

Under the general supervision of the Director, Forest Resources Division, Forestry Department and the direct supervision of the Co-ordinator EC FAO Partnership Programme on Data Collection and Analysis for Sustainable Forestry Management in ACP Countries and in close collaboration with Forestry Officers involved in the implementation of the EC-FAO Project, the incumbent will:

Collect and compile available data on forest and vegetation cover:

Provide forest and vegetation classification scheme used in the country as well as the current status of each forest/vegetation classes; and

Report on the forest volumes (growing stock, increment and harvesting intensities for each type of forest class at national level and if possible at sub-national level (regions).

For this study, the incumbent will carry out a review of the existing documents and information from 1992 up-till now. Besides, it is requested that relevant source information (inventory reports, maps and) should be duplicated and made available for FAO. In support of this study, two FRA/FAO technical papers are herewith (see attachment)

a) FRA 2000; Guidelines for assessments in tropical and sub-tropical countries; and

b) FRA 2000; Terms and Definitions.

Expected Output: A report on the subject with a detailed bibliographic review.

Entry on Duty: ASAP (February 1999)

Duty Station: Nigeria

Working Language: English

In line with the directives of the TOR "to carry out a review of the existing document and information from 1992 up till now", visits were made to several libraries and documentation units of governmental agencies/departments and Universities concerned with forestry, land use and the environment, to source for reliable and current information on the forest resources situation assessment in the country (see appendix 1).

A. FORMECU, 1998 The Assessment of Vegetation and Land Use Changes in Nigeria between 1976/78 and 1993/95. Report prepared by Geomatics International of Canada for FORMECU of the Federal Department of Forestry, Abuja, Nigeria (Final Report).

B. Beak Consultants, 1998. Forest Resources Study of Nigeria. Report prepared for FORMECU of the Federal Department of Forestry, Abuja, Nigeria (Draft Report) Vol .1-4, Management Plans and Maps.

C. World Bank, 1997. Implementation Completion Report, Nigeria, Second Forestry

Project (Loan 2760-UNI). Report No. 16532.

D. General Woods & Veneer (GWV), 1994. Review of Wood-Based Sector in Nigeria. Report Prepared for FORMECU of the Federal Department of Forestry, Ibadan, Nigeria.

E. World Bank, 1992. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Forestry Sector Review. Confidential Report No. 10744-UNI.

In addition to the above, other supporting documents were used. These are listed in the Bibliography.

During the course of this assignment, seven major limitations were encountered. These include:

1.4.1. Limited source of documents.

Available documents on the forest Resource Situation are few and are scattered in different organisations located in different parts of the country.

1.4.2 Lack of complete and up-to-date information on forest resources

The most current information on the Forest Resource Situation in Nigeria is provided in draft report by Beak Consultants of Canada who have just completed the inventory of the high forests and plantations in Nigeria. This implies that their reports are yet to be appraised by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

1.4.3. Limited coverage of the forest inventory.

The inventory exercise conducted by Beak Consultants of Canada covered only twenty-eight (28) states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The inventory did not include eight (8) arid states of Northern Nigeria.

1.4.4. Comparable Recent Forest Resource Information not available.

The last inventory of the high forests in Nigeria was done about 20 years ago by the FAO and UNDP. The degree of reliability of information from the recent inventory may be difficult to assess due to many factors including modern technology.

1.4.5. Time constraints.

Sufficient time was not available for the assignment, particularly to source for information from various locations in Nigeria.

1.4.6. Production delays.

Production delays were encountered during the preparation of this report due to frequent and prolonged power outages in Ibadan.