Lift Ban On Logging, C'River Lawmakers Urge Gov. Otu
By Mark IDRAH
Cross River State Lawmakers have called on the State Governor Sen. Bassey Otu to urgently lift the embargo on logging, to enable sustainable management of the State's tropical rainforest.
The Lawmakers also desires the state Forestry Commission to take adequate steps in implementing the provisions of the Commission's Law which amongst other things, will check deforestation and all illegal activities across the state rainforests.
The resolution was taken following a motion moved by the member representing Boki 1 State Constituency, Hon. Obi Philip Bette.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Bette reiterated that Cross River owns over 50% of the entire rainforest in Nigeria, but the rate at which the forest is being depleted is alarming and this calls for concern.
According to the Lawmaker, the State Government had placed a temporary embargo on logging about 16 years ago, but instead of preserving the forest, the embargo has rather led to massive illegal logging by criminals who have been enriching themselves from the forests on daily basis.
The lawmaker further lamented that, most of the State's timber is being carted away to neighbouring states like Ebonyi thus improving the economy of those States to the detriment of Cross River State and this shouldn't be so, he decried.
"As a member of the State Assembly I know there is a law that has been passed by the State Assembly called Cross River State Forestry law and is very rich and if you go through it, it does not include ban or moratorium but it has been kept aside, it is on that basis that I say we should remove the ban". Bette stated.
In their various contributions to the debate, Members observed that the motion was very timely and that the embargo should be lifted immediately, to stop the huge loss of the State's much-needed revenue to criminals.
The Lawmakers observed that the purpose for which the embargo was imposed has not been achieved, rather, the forest have continued to face severe threats from the activities of illegal loggers. Adding that the forest which has been the natural habitat of some rare animal species is fast being destroyed by rampart illegal logging and bush burning, thus endangering the survival of such animals.
They emphasized that, proper management of the forest will also lead to job creation for the teeming unemployed youths, as well as boost the state economy.
On his part, Speaker Ayambem observed that the preponderance of opinion supported the lifting of the embargo, and directed the clerk to forward the motion to the State Governor for assent and implementation
