By Blessing Enagu, MOI Officer reporting for CRSFC
The Cross River State Forestry Commission has Waded into the lingering contention between eight communities in the state over rightful beneficiaries of Lafarge Africa's (manufacturers of UNICEM cement) corporate social responsibility.
The communities which are within the Ekinta forest reserve and the Oban group of forests reserve, being Lafarge lease area, have been embroiled in controversy; with each claiming to be the rightful landlord community with deserving benefits.
As a Commission suprientending over the two reserves, the Cross River State Forestry Commission recently held a critical stakeholders' meeting, as a precursor, with the concerned communities to intimate them of government's plan towards peaceful resolution of such contention.
Addressing the communities, the Chairman of the State Forestry Commission, Chief Tony Undiandeye, sued for cooperation and understanding, noting that the contention can only be resolved in the field where boundaries will be clearly defined.
Chief Undiandeye informed them that the Commission will get to the field and carry out geolocation based on existing coordinates, to ascertain the host communities and possibly determine the equity contribution of each of the landlord communities within Lafarge Operational area.
The Chairman expressed commitment towards finding lasting solution to the issue, assuring that honesty and objectivity would be displayed in determining their actual boundaries.
He admonished them to continue to live in harmony as brothers who have shared everything in common over the years.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Timothy Akwaji stated that the boundary tracing will be carried out by a government agency that has interest of all the communities concerned and not intended to cause friction amongst brothers that have coexisted for centuries.
He appreciated the stakeholders for their resolve to tackle the issue amicably and in oneness.
Responding, Prince Celestine Anor from Ekong Anaku and Sir Don Etta from Mbobui communities, expressed confidence on the leadership of the Commission as well as the competence of the Staff in tackling the issue, while also hoping for a general consensus at the end of the Commission's intervention.
Other representatives unanimously appreciated government's effort with a common wish for a lasting solution to the contention.
The communities include Abiati, Mfamosing, Ikot Inameti, Ikot Oyomene, Akwa Ikot Efangha and Camp 2.
The geolocation is at the instance of Lafarge Africa plc, the multinational cement consortium operating in Cross River State.
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