By Blessing Enagu
Cross River State Forestry Commission Chairman, High Chief Tony Undiandeye has pledged the Commission's support towards the completion of 18 kilometers road from Iyamitet in Obubra Local Government area to New Ekuri Community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the State.
In a tripartite meeting with the New Ekuri community and Sibawood Industry and Agricultural Nigeria Limited held recently at the Commission's premises in Calabar, the Chairman stated
the need to revalidate the approval granted the company in 1995, where only 10 kilometers of the road was said to have been constructed.
He maintained that with the lapse in time, and the moratorium now in place, granting of concession will no longer be feasible.
Chief Undiandeye noted that as a Commission with the mandate of ensuring the protection of the forest resources against environmental consequences and given the strategic relevance of the forest, technical staff of the Commission will go to the field for re-evaluation in order to be well guided in re-validating the approval earlier granted.
He Stated that the Commission would not deprive the community a safe passage into their village especially when the issues enumerated were bothered on the risk of sustained security challenges.
The Chairman commended the resilience of the community and also admonished the company against breaching any of the re-validation processes.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Timothy Akwaji reiterated that inventory carried out in 1995 cannot be put to use today because the scenarios are no longer the same.
He lauded the community's conservation effort which he noted, has gained admiration of the international Community, adding that there should be a balance between conservation and development.
Acknowledging the plights of the people, one of the Directors in the Commission, Mr. Patrick Njar, tasked the company to be swift in the processes needed for the road completion so that the people can have an access road to their Community.
Earlier in his presentation, the Managing Director, Sibawood Industry and Agricultural Nigeria Limited, Engineer Akamo Sunday who is also an indigene of New Ekuri informed that the company is community-owned and is out to develop their home.
The Managing Director intimated that the company had constructed 10 kilometers of the road before facing financial hiccup leading to the delay in its completion.
He appealed to the Commission to grant them necessary approval for the completion of the remaining 8 kilometers of the Iyamitet-New Ekuri road.
Amongst other sons of the community that spoke in one voice, the youth leader of New Ekuri, Benedict Akama maintained that the community is known for conserving their forest yet they are not getting due benefits for their effort.
He lamented the level of suffering occasioned by lack of access road which is also a major hindrance to development in the community.
The youth leader recounted how farmers run huge losses because they do not have easy access to the market, pregnant women loss their lives to complications over delay to reach medical facility, also made reference to some indigenes that lost their lives in a recent communal clash because of no escape route from the community.
Akama expressed delight over the company's readiness to complete the road and sought for the needed support for its completion.
New Ekuri Community is in Akamkpa Local Government area but the only road to their village is through a long ride from Ochon in Obubra and several villages including very challenging terrain.
The road from Iyamitet, when completed, would be a short and direct way into the village.
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