An environmental activist and former presidential aide, Barr. Obol Okoi Obono-Obla, has submitted a petition to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, calling for the removal of four commissioners from the Cross River State Forestry Commission. The commissioners in question are Chief Kelvin Albert Njong, Mr. Emmanuel Abeng, Mr. Emmanuel Oyo, and Mr. Isaac Obo, who represent the North West, North East, South West, and South East zones, respectively.
According to the petition, the commissioners are allegedly involved in timber racketeering, revenue diversion, and illegal logging activities, which undermine the Forestry Commission Law of 2011. Obono-Obla claims that these activities have resulted in the depletion of forest reserves and significant revenue loss for the state. He further alleges that the commissioners have been issuing evacuation receipts illegally, diverting funds through POS transactions, and using unqualified relatives to sign official documents.
The activist also expresses concern about the impact of these activities on the state’s environment and wildlife. He notes that the rate of deforestation is alarming, with timber being moved illegally within and outside the state without proper authorization. Furthermore, he claims that the commissioners have extended logging operations into the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to the endangered Cross River gorillas, forcing them to migrate and exposing them to poachers.
Obono-Obla is urging Governor Otu to take swift action by invoking Section 5(2) of the Forestry Commission Law to remove the commissioners. He also recommends that the governor should return evacuation receipts to trained professionals, automate monitoring systems, and equip the commission for regular patrols to prevent further environmental damage.
The removal of the commissioners and the implementation of these measures are seen as crucial to protecting the state’s forests, tourism, and environment. The governor’s response to the petition is eagerly awaited, as the integrity of his administration and the future of Cross River State’s natural resources hang in the balance. The situation highlights the need for effective governance and environmental protection in the region.
