By Dianabasi Effiong
Mr Odey Oyama, Executive Director Rain Forest Reserve and Development Centre, has warned that illegal loggers, including foreigners and locals were depleting the Cross River Forest reserves.
He has therefore urged relevant government agencies to ensure the protection of the forest reserves from illegal loggers.
Oyama who was speaking against the background of consequences of illegal logging, said he had lodged a petition with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) against some foreign nationals who visited a community in Ikom, Cross River, to negotiate for logging rights.
The Director said that although the said community frowned at the petition, which he also sent to relevant government agencies, he had no regrets about his action.
Oyama said all he did was to ensure that Cross River’s forests were protected from illegal loggers that would not spare a second thought in depleting the state’s forest resources, leaving it vulnerable to the elements.
“All I am doing is to prevent foreign nationals from depleting our forest; we have made preparation to set up our timber shade, once we get clearance from the Forestry Commission we will commence, through forest regeneration,’’ he said.
However, Mr Ichire Okim, a Legal Practitioner, appealed to the NIS against the continuous invitation of Effi monarchs over allegations of connivance with illegal loggers, adding that it was unnecessary.
Okim, in the appeal to the Comptroller General of NIS, Adepoju Wura-Ola, stated that the numerous invitations of the traditional rulers of Effi community in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River were intimidating.
He told journalists on Thursday in Ikom, that the invitations over an allegation made by Oyama were against the traditions and norms of the people of Effi.
He said: “Some foreign nationals only visited our community and said that they want something from our community, asking us whether we agree or not, is that an issue?
“In the first instance, my clients, Effi community traditional rulers, had not even entered into any agreement with the foreign nationals, unfortunately this has become a big issue,” he said.
Okim also accused Oyama of plotting to destabilize the peace and good relations enjoyed among community members home and abroad, adding that Effi community had the right to entertain visitations.
He said that the NIS and other relevant government agencies had done the needful before the foreign nationals gained entry into the Nigeria and his community, adding that to accuse his clients of connivance was uncalled for.
Gov. Bassey Otu had on Aug. 10 lifted the ban on logging in the state and dissolved the Anti-Deforestation-Taskforce earlier constituted to check deforestation by locals in collaboration with foreign nationals.
Otu also directed that every forest related matter, including logging, must pass through the state’s Forestry Commission for compliance and authentication.
It is estimated that about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s remaining forests is located in Cross River.
However, these forests are undergoing fast depletion following human and illegal activities.
