By Obiabin Onukwugha
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has declared a total suspension of logging activities in all parts of the state.
Logging and desertification has been identified as part of leading causes for global warming. On June 5, the World Environment Day for 2024 was celebrated with the theme: Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.”
According to the UN, the theme was tied with bringing back healthy land, keeping desserts from developing, and managing water shortages as trees, healthy soil, and clean water are imperative for a solid planet.
The ban, NatureNews gathered, was as a result of illegal logging activities, despite guidelines from the state government.
The state government had earlier introduced a permiteeship system which empowered the state’s Forestry Commission to give permits to loggers to fell specific trees.
The government however, observed that illegal logging has continued in the state even in areas under government protection such as the parks.
In a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh at the weekend and made available to journalists in Calabar the state capital, the Cross River State government ordered for the arrest of anyone caught logging.
The statement also directed players in the timber logging trade to contact the state forestry commission for further guidance.
The statement read in part: “In spite of the forbearance by government on the activities of timber loggers in the state, government notes the persisting refusal and/or neglect to keep to the terms stipulated by government for the felling of trees.
“Consequently, Gov. Bassey Otu has suspended further logging activities in the state.
“Security agencies are to arrest offenders and confiscate any log and machinery deployed thereto.”
