After several months of suspended activities of the lucrative timber trade activities in this northern part of the country, the government of President Julius Maada Bio, in a recent press release, announced that it was lifting the suspension.

The release, from Ministry of Internal Affairs, noted that the suspension was lifted effective Nov. 1.

But the green light to resume timber operations in the region, brought with it lots of mixed feelings from dealers, and some members of the public.

The timber activities were halted by the government in June thus, depriving Koinadugu district and its people hundreds of millions in revenue in the local currency.

In fact, and according to the last budget discussions held at the Koinadugu District Council
hall here in Kabala town, timber activities contributed Le400M to the council – serving as KDC’s highest contributor to its local revenue collection efforts.

And that was about $22,695 that was likely deprived of the poor residents of this township.

TV-News24 Koinadugu-based reporter witnessed those budget discussions last year.

The timber business in Koinadugu and Falaba districts – commonly referred to as twin districts – are considered among the largest of businesses in the two districts.

And this’s mainly because of the many richly-nourished primary and secondary jungles in the region.

Therefore, when news broke out that the suspension on timber trade activities were to be lifted, it was naturally expected that those deeply entrenched in the trade – dealers, investors, workers, others – would’ve been excited and thus welcome the announcement.

But that wasn’t the case – at least not absolutely.

Instead, the news of the lifting of restrictions on timber trade activities brought an eerily opposite effect to others, though not all.

TV-News24 then decided to take an investigative walk to several different parts of the region where timber logs activities – loading and unloading – typically occurred, to see if activities had once again resumed robustly.

Strangely, however, the areas visited were completely empty, and/or having very little movements with few timber logs packed for possible transportation.

Even before the suspension of the timber activities, there was strong advocacy from human rights activists, journalists, and other citizens alike regarding the complete ban on all timber activities in the region.

The advocates argued that the timber activities suspension in June was appropriate because timber activities have done more harm than good in the twin districts.

“I have heard of the deaths of many of our brothers who loaded and offloaded the logs or partake in the harvesting and transporting process. If this continues, the future will definitely be bad for our youths and some families. Forget about the personal money-making and focus on the bigger picture of development; [instead of] personal enrichment,” Advocacy for Democracy and Human Rights CEO Edward Marah, said.

Marah added that the timber industry has also resulted in school dropouts for students, and the destruction of many roads in Koinadugu and Falaba districts.

But this assessment by the advocacy groups wasn’t supported by everyone in the districts.

Beneficiaries of the lucrative trade – investors, harvesters, laborers, traders, others – strongly rebuffed those categorizations levied on the timber business industry.

When timber activities were suspended in June, hundreds of unemployed youths were left jobless and financially stranded to be able to solve most of their financial problems.

And this, unconfirmed reports suggested, allegedly resulted in some of the youths to be involved in armed robbery, thus increasing the crime rate within the Kabala township.

TV-News24 can’t independently confirm this allegation.

In this area, if one needs to know anything about the timber industry, Cow Yard, a well-known establishment for storing, loading and unloading of timber logs, is the place to start.

Because, it houses many traders and laborers that are directly connected to the timber trade market.

In an exclusive interview with Mamadi Fadika, owner of Fadika Attaya Base, a popular hangout spot at Cow Yard, he disclosed that the suspension of timber activities in June really adversely affected their businesses.

Fadika said he was heartbroken, for despite the resumption of timber activities, there’s still a very low momentum toward the trade.

Thus, he says, he believes this has usher in a bleak future for the trade – as well as the prospect for its continuity.

As an advise, Fadika called on investors to have courage and get back into action.

Additionally, he pleaded with government to make things easy for those involved in the forefront of the timber trade.

And, he says, they include local, national and international investors – who’ve invested or do invest their resources in the timber trade.

Timber Association District Chairman Sallieu Kondeh, told TV-News24 that he was concerned about the seemingly stagnating pace at which the timber industry is currently thriving in the region.

Nonetheless, Kondeh expressed optimism and assured of changes to come soon to the current situation.

He says he’s already had consultations with the association’s national executive to discuss a way forward – aimed at revamping the timber trade here.

“The timber activities are very important not only individually, but also nationally. So, we just can’t end it like that. We’re in serious consultations, and very soon we will step into action, again. Let’s all focus on the many benefits of timber activities, than just the negative effects. Very soon, we’ll try to overcome all the problems the public is making reference to. And with unity, timber activities will benefit everyone,” Kondeh said last month.

Some members of the public who spoke to TV-News24 on the issue somewhat supported the June suspension of timber activities.

Because, they claimed, the trade brings numerous problems for the community.

And such problems, they say, are prostitution, early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and other abuses.

They all spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals from other members of the community.

But in the contrary, Mariama Jalloh, a trader at Cow Yard, argued that the timber trade has created numerous employment opportunities for hundreds of youths in the region.

Plus, Jalloh said, many businesses have also been developed and buildings built in many isolated and vulnerable communities.

“Life was a bit difficult for me. But the emergence of the lucrative timber activities allowed me to make money, and be able to take care of my family. So, let the work continues; so we can make money and take care of our families,” Jalloh remarked.