Contributions of Baissa Timber Corporation to Community Livelihoods in Kurmi, Taraba State

^*Zaku S.S., Maiguru A.A., and Salomi S.Y.

Department of Forestry and Wild life Management, Federal University Wukari Taraba State, Nigeria.

* Corresponding Author’s Contact Details: Email address ✉: sszaku@yahoo.com, Phone No ☎: +234, 08032238713

Accepted October 08, 2019

Baissa Timber Corporation (BTC) was one of the major sources of community livelihoods in Kurmi.It was the main pivot of the Gongola State economy. BTC ranks highest in terms of revenue and employment generating sectors during the defunct Gongola State and in Taraba State as well (Zaku, 2013a). There were no artificial forest plantations as such the natural forests were the main source of all raw materials used by the BTC. Despite the fact that, BTC was the mainstay of the Gongola State economy, information on the role of BTC to community livelihoods is not documented in the study area. Therefore, contributions of BTC to community livelihoods were investigated. A simple random sampling technique was adopted in this study using the method of Diaw et al., (2002). A total of 624 respondents were identified during the baseline survey in the order of; BTC workers, 46; Saw millers, 50; Timber contractors, 55; Hunters, 64; Fishermen, 50; Farmers, 350 and 9 Forestry staff. At 30% sampling intensity, a total of 188 semi-structured questionnaire were administered as follows; BTC workers, 14; Saw millers, 15; Timber contractors, 17; Hunters, 19; Fishermen, 15; Farmers, 105 and 3 Forestry staff with only 175 questionnaires were retrieved. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression at α0.05. The result of the contributions of BTC to community livelihoods in the study area indicated that, 40 (22.9%) of the respondents reported employment generation; 35 (20%) reported revenue generation; 30 (17.1%) reported provision of public health facilities; 28 (16%) reported supplies of building and energy materials; 22 (12.6%) reported provision of transport and communication facilities. Similarly, 20 (11.4%) reported tourism, recreation and research. The result indicated that, the most significant reason for the collapse of BTC in Kurmi LGA was General Manager not a Forester (GMNF) with the highest odds – ratio of 5352.43 followed by Selling of sawn timber to staff (SSTS) 4359.12, General Manager’s redeployment(GMRDM) 3323.51, Lack of machine spare parts (LMSP) 3023.51, Irregular and ceased subvention (ICS) 225.67, Leasing factory to Lebanese (LL) 223.69 and corruption (CRT) 17.52. Based on the major findings of this study, the followings are recommended; Taraba State Government should establish Artificial Forest plantations to reduce the pressure on the three reserves. Taraba State Government should lift the ban on the operation of BTC to allow room for re-opening of the closed down BTC in order to resume full operation. Here, House of Assembly should pass a bill to that effect and which should be implemented. Taraba State Government should check out all forms of encroachment on Baissa, Bisaula and Amboi forest reserves and Afforested where necessary. Taraba State Government should revamp BTC and should bring back all the BTC workers that are still alive and active to resume work. Taraba State Government should fund BTC and should empower them to raise and spend their fund. BTC, if revamped, should not be leased to any foreign investors again for any form of test-run. Only qualified Forester or a Mechanical Engineer should be allowed to head BTC as enshrined in the edict establishing the BTC. There should be public enlightenment campaign to educate Kurmi communities on the value and importance of BTC and the need for its protection in order to sustain operation of BTC in the study area. Machine spare parts should always be available when BTC is fully revamped.

Key words: Baissa Timber Corporation, Contributions, Collapse.

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