Lift of ban on issuance of forest concession licenses cheers timber producers

TPAZ Vice President Charles Masange

The Timber Producers Association of Zambia (TPAZ) has called on government to sternly deal with officials failing to acknowledge the lift of the ban on the issuance and renewal of forest concession licenses.

Government last week lifted the suspension on the issuance and renewal of forest concession licenses.

But TPAZ Vice President Charles Masange tells QTV News that his association has received a lot of complaints from timber producers that they are being turned away by the Director of Forestry Department even after government lifted the ban.

Mr. Masange says timber producers who applied for licenses should be given their licenses and that those who applied for renewal should also be given.

He says the association expects that starting tomorrow; there shall be no more excuses from the Director of Forestry Department who they accuse of playing double standards.

He adds that the director in charge of this exercise should be sent on study leave for failing to perform his duties diligently.