The Ministry of Environment has been given two months to explain the causes of a loss exceeding Rwf1.23 billion arising from poor management of forestry concession contracts between the Government of Rwanda and Sawmill East Africa Limited (SEAL). The directive was presented on Tuesday, March 3, by MP Speciose Ayinkamiye, the Deputy Chairperson of the parliamentary Committee on Land, Agriculture, Livestock and Environment, who tabled a report on the Auditor General’s findings on forest management. The report was endorsed by the Chamber of Deputies. ALSO READ: Rwanda secures Rwf40bn for forest management in Kaduha-Gitwe corridor Lawmakers asked the ministry to explain what led to the loss and how the funds will be recovered from SEAL, which had been awarded contracts to manage the Shariyo and Ntobo I, II and III forests. Referring to the Auditor General’s findings, MPs noted that illegal tree cutting had been recorded in Shariyo forest in Rugabano Sector, Karongi District, and that trees planted in 2023 on 52.57 hectares in Ntobo I, II and III forests had not been properly maintained. The audit also revealed weaknesses in forest management across the country, including the absence of national master plans for forest management and national parks' land use. ALSO READ: Inside new digital systems tracking forest growth It further noted the lack of comprehensive national forest database. Existing data does not distinguish between public and private forests, while tree species were not identified in forests covering nearly 10,000 hectares in the districts of Gakenke, Bugesera, Ruhango, Kamonyi, Gasabo, Kayonza, Nyagatare and Rwamagana. The report also cited weak coordination between the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) and districts, illegal charcoal burning and tree cutting, among other issues. ALSO READ: New study says charcoal, car emissions leading air pollutants in Rwanda Government responses The report indicates that the National Land Authority (NLA) acknowledged the absence of a national land use plan specifically for forests and national parks, but said a general national land use master plan and district plans have been developed. NLA said it is working with relevant institutions to prepare sectoral land use master plans, including for forests. Akagera, Gishwati-Mukura and Nyungwe national parks will be integrated into district land use plans. RFA said an updated national forest and tree cover assessment is under way and will inform the 2050 Forest and National Parks Land Use Master Plan, expected by June 2026. A National Forest Management Master Plan is scheduled for completion by December 2026. District Forest Management Plans will then be developed based on the national framework. RFA also said a national register of public forests has been compiled, showing forest names, tree species, coordinates and locations. Data on private forests will be included in an updated national forest report. However, the forest authority noted that some tree species remain unidentified due to limited laboratory capacity and shortage of researchers. On the SEAL contract, RFA said the company has agreed to refund the Rwf1.23 billion loss, though discussions are ongoing on implementation, including possible contract termination. Measures have also been taken to strengthen monitoring of forestry concessions and improve management of public forests operated by private firms. Key recommendations Lawmakers urged authorities to fast-track the forest and national parks land use master plan to prevent misuse of forest land. They also called for increased investment in laboratories and research to improve identification of tree species, quicker establishment of cooperation guidelines between RFA and local government entities, and immediate recovery of funds lost under the SEAL contract. The committee further recommended proper enforcement of measures to improve public forest management and contract oversight between the government and private operators.
