Prince Odey Oyama, a conservationist in Cross River State, is calling on both federal and state governments to intervene immediately in the ongoing exploitation of the Cross River forests, particularly the Effi pristine forests.
He has raised concerns about the growing presence of undocumented Chinese individuals engaging in illegal wood logging activities.
Despite being one of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest forests and home to one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots, Cross River State is now facing severe deforestation due to rampant illegal logging.
Expressing his dismay, Oyama stated, “The Federal and Cross River State governments cannot afford to ignore this destruction. It is imperative that immediate action is taken to rectify and prevent further damage. Such devastation would not be tolerated in other countries like China…
“Our community resources and heritage are being annihilated before our eyes.”
Oyama questioned the authorities’ inaction in apprehending the perpetrators of these illegal logging activities, pointing to the Cross River State Forestry Commission Law No. 11 of 2011.
He emphasized that the law grants the Nigerian Police the authority to arrest illegal timber traders, confiscate and preserve the timber and related vehicles as evidence, and ensure suspects are brought to court within 48 hours.
According to the conservationist, these criminal activities have been reported to the police and immigration authorities, but no concrete action has been taken despite alleged eyewitness accounts.
Oyama alleged that the unidentified Chinese individuals are operating in the Okuni community in Ikom LGA of the State without providing valid permits or concession agreements from the Forestry Commission for logging immature trees.
Efforts by NewsNow to engage with the Chinese individuals proved futile, and community leaders in Effi declined to comment on the issue.
However, officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Calabar confirmed that they are addressing the presence of undocumented Chinese individuals.