Following the high rate of deforestation in the State occasioned by the indiscriminate activities of illegal loggers bent on undermining the integrity of government, the State Forestry Commission has opened up consultation with other experts in the sector on possible ways of salvaging her rich forests.
In a round table discussion held in Calabar at the office of the Chairman, Forestry Commission, Stakeholders x-rayed the challenges of illegal logging which is becoming overwhelming and recommended ways of curbing the menace.
Addressing the meeting, the Commission Chairman, High Chief Tony Undiandeye decried the wanton destruction of the State's rich forests despite conservation efforts of government.
He bewailed the extent of desperation and level of compromise which has eaten deep into the illegal business thereby truncating government’s clampdown effort and posing a threat to lives of armed-less Foresters who attempt to intercept their operations.
Chief Undiandeye noted reported cases of interference by top government officials and security agencies while professional Foresters carry out their duties in the field.
He maintained that the meeting was a precursor for an enlarged stakeholders forum, urged the experts to drop the blame game and proffer enforceable solutions to the unfortunate situation and appreciated their contributions to the growth of the Sector.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change, Prof. Augustine Ogogo noted that in 2008, the Cross River State Government organized a World Environment Summit in Calabar where a two year moratorium was recommended and adopted as a way of conserving the rain forests. He added that the Anti deforestation Task Force was set up but unfortunately the entire approach rather aggravated the problem as illegal logging and farming in protected areas increased astronomically to the reality of today.
Prof. Ogogo stated that the moratorium which has lasted for 14 years is detrimental to forest conservation. He recommended that the ban should be lifted and the task of forest management be returned to the professionals.
Also speaking, the former Chairman of the Commission and founder of Non-governmental Coalition for the Environment ( NGOCE), Dr. Odigha Odigha stressed that demonstrable political will in the State is the only solution to the current challenge ravaging the state forests.
A member of the Civil Society Organization and Executive Director of Development Concern (DEVCON), Cross River State, Dr. Martins Egot traced the problem to the gap that existed between government and the communities.
According to Dr. Egot, after the ban, communities were no longer given royalties as it were, neither was there alternative livelihoods for them. This caused the youths to be enticed by what both national and international timber dealers that have infiltrated the State, offer, he added.
The Civil Society member encouraged government to be firm in decision making without compromise nor fear of whose ox is gored.
Other speakers included Prof. Eugene Aniah of the University of Calabar and some Technocrats in the Forestry Commission such as the State Coordinator of Sustainable Fuel wood Management Project and Deputy Director, Forestry, Dr. Edu Effiom, the Head of Wildlife department, Mr. John Odey, as well as the Head of Forestry Business department, Mr. Ekpenyong Bassey.
They all sued for a critical review of the moratorium policy and entrenchment of a sustainable forest management in Cross River State.
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