Techiman (B/A), Feb. 27, GNA- Local wood manufacturers in the Techiman Municipality have decried the rising cost of lumber, saying the situation is keeping carpenters and furniture makers out of business. Mr Emmanuel Owusu-Ameyaw, Managing Director Of Kingdom Construction Limited in the municipality in an interview with the Ghana News Agency complained that a piece of wood commonly known as "2 by 6" that used to sell at GH¢4.5 is priced now at GH¢10.

The "2 by 12", which used to sell at GH¢5.5 is now GH¢16. Mr Owusu-Ameyaw however attributed the rising cost on the local market to the activities of lumber exporters and appealed to the government to take a second look at their operations.

He said the situation was also affecting the construction industry, which employed a high number of people, adding that, the current problem forced him to reduce his work-force from 20 to six.

Mr Owusu-Ameyaw bemoaned the high cost of taxes and electricity tariffs and entreated the government to fashion out a policy to support the local wood industry.