CRHA SETS UP SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ILLEGAL WOOD PROCESSING IN OKUNI.

By Itam Offor

The State House of Assembly has set up a Special Commitee to investigate alleged illegal wood processing in Okuni community by a Chinese company operating without due registration with relevant authorities.

The Special Commitee has; HON Egbe Abeng Chairman, while Hon Martins Achadu, Bette Philip Obi, Thomas Aruku, Eyo Bassey and Odey Brian will serve as Members.

The House had deliberated on a Matter of Urgent Public Importance on illegal wood processing in Okuni presented by the Member representing Ikom 1 State Constituency and Minority Leader, Hon Samuel Neji Abang. Abang recalled that the State Government recently banned illegal logging as a measure to sustain Forestry reserves, and also mandated the State Forestry Commission to investigate and discipline offenders in line with CRS Law No 3 of 2010.

The Ikom Lawmaker further informed the House that the Chinese company had been operating without any license for about 5 years resulting in environmental degradation and serious afforestation with its attendant problems.

Abang further noted that youths of the area recently embarked on a protest against the illegal activities of the Chinese company.

Other Lawmakers, in their comments expressed unhappiness about the situation calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of the Chinese company.

They described as unfortunate, a situation where outsiders invade the State to carry out illegal logging activities which contribute greatly to the depletion of the State's Forests and agreed that the practice should be stopped.

On his part, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem vowed that anyone found culpable in illegal logging will face the wrath of the Law.

The House resolved that the Chinese Company's operations should be stopped while it's Management, the State Forestry Commission as well as the Chiefs of Okuni Community should be invited to offer public explanations on the matter.