Cross Rivers Residents Demand Enforcement of Forestry Law

News in brief:

-Stakeholders urged authorities in Cross River State to enforce forestry laws and impose jail terms for illegal logging.

-Officials from Cross River National Park said over 300 offenders have been arrested as efforts intensify to curb forest crimes.

Stakeholders have called on the government of Cross River State to fully enforce existing forestry laws and impose jail terms on individuals involved in illegal logging and other forest-related offences.

The call was made during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on forest conservation organised by the Cross River National Park, Oban division, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, host communities and other civil society groups.

Illegal Logging Blamed for Forest Depletion

The State Conservator of Parks, Joseph Assam Ntui, expressed concern over the continued depletion of forest reserves in the state.

He attributed the situation largely to weak enforcement of regulations and the persistent activities of illegal loggers. Ntui also noted that some host communities grant consent to mining companies but lack the capacity to regulate the scope of their activities.

According to him, illegal logging and other unlawful activities violate provisions of the National Park Service Act and pose significant environmental risks.

These activities, he explained, contribute to global warming, air pollution, soil erosion, disease outbreaks and insecurity.

Ntui stated the core mandate of the national park includes safeguarding ecological integrity through proactive conservation, management and protection of Nigeria’s diminishing biodiversity.

Over 300 Offenders Arrested

The park authorities, he added, have intensified patrols and surveillance operations to clamp down on offences such as poaching, illegal logging, mining, water poisoning and unauthorised entry into protected areas.

Ntui disclosed that since he assumed office in November 2024, a total of 309 offenders have been arrested. He noted that approximately 90 per cent of those arrested were not indigenes of Cross River State.

The Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Agbor Ebani, warned that the state risks losing its biodiversity and climate reserves if forestry laws are not strictly enforced. He stressed that offenders should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.

According to him, many offenders are arrested but soon return to the forests due to weak penalties.

Government plans collaboration with security agencies

Also speaking, Benjamin Enyam from the Cross River Forestry Commission said the state government is developing strategies to strengthen enforcement. He noted that authorities plan to collaborate with security agencies to clamp down on illegal logging activities.

Enyam added that efforts are ongoing to ensure offenders are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.