Hard Times Await Illegal Loggers in C'River

By Victor UDU  

The newly appointed Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Dr. George O'ben-Echi has promised to deal with all deforestation activities with zero tolerance and assured perpetrators of difficult times ahead.

O'ben-Echi while speaking to the media said the commission under him will regain lost grounds and fulfill it's mandate as it will be no longer business as usual in that sector.

He said he would work with critical Stakeholders in the sector to fulfill the mandate to sustainably manage the forest resources of the state.

The Commission boss called on those who are engaged in such illegalities particularly loggers of timber and non timber products to immediately desist or may have to face the full weight of the law.

He condemned the activities of those involved in wood racketeering by acting as escorts to timber and receiving proceeds illegally and thereby evading taxes that should have accrued into government coffers to stop forthwith as the commission would be left with no option than to press for sanctions against them.

He warned against the proliferation of the Commission's mandate by some for pecuniary interests and assured that the commission was coming after them if those illegal bodies are not scrapped immediately.

The Chairman sued for the cooperation and contributions of Stakeholders to reverse the urgly trends and called on partners to support government efforts to rebuild the sector for the benefit of all.