The Kwara State House of Assembly has officially passed the Charcoal Production (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a decisive legislative step toward curbing deforestation and protecting the state's natural ecosystem.

The bill was passed following its third reading on the floor of the House on Thursday, after the Committee of the Whole thoroughly examined and approved all clauses.

This legislative update significantly strengthens the existing law by imposing much stiffer penalties for the illegal felling of trees, as well as the production, transportation, storage, and commercial sale of charcoal across the state's sixteen local government areas.

The passage of the bill followed the presentation and adoption of a detailed report by the House Committee on Environment. Following the final vote, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, directed the Clerk to produce clean copies of the document for onward transmission to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his formal assent.

The Speaker lauded the lawmakers for their commitment to the environment, particularly praising the House Committee on Environment, chaired by Hon. Olakunle Rasaq of the Isin Constituency, for what he described as "a thorough and diligent legislative work."

The amended law is expected to provide the Ministry of Environment and security agencies with a more robust legal framework to prosecute those engaged in the indiscriminate destruction of Kwara's forest reserves.

Highlighting the long-term benefits of the legislation, the Speaker noted that "the amended law would further enhance environmental sustainability in Kwara State," ensuring that the state remains resilient against the threats of climate change and soil erosion. Once signed into law, the bill will mandate stricter monitoring of transit routes often used by charcoal traffickers moving products to other parts of the country.