From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Public outcry has trailed illegal logging in Cross River State by foreigners allegedly backed by the State Forestry Commission.
This comes as the Citizens Against Crime and Corruption (CACC) has claimed that billions of naira have been lost as a result of the illegal activities.
The Director of CACC, John Lovety, at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, identified Ifumkpa village, Owai village, New and Old Ekuri village, Okokori village, Ochon, Agoi Ibami, and Boki Local Government Area as some of the communities where these insidious activities are taking place.
Lovety also alleged that the villages of Agoi Expo and Iko Esai have sold forest reserve areas.
He stated that he reported the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Monitoring Unit of the Inspector General of Police, but no action has been taken to stop the trend.
According to him, the illegal logging has dangerously exposed the environment to climate change, and he appealed to the government to take action to prevent future disasters.
He also called on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to cease funding for the preservation of flora and fauna in Nigeria.
“We are worried that the Conservator-General, who has the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of Nigerians, would allow this level of travesty against the forest to thrive in this manner.
“The trees provide cover for the animals and strengthen biodiversity. To fold your arms, Conservator-General, and allow this travesty to continue is unpardonable.
“We have come to the painful decision to request the global community, especially the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to stop funding the preservation of flora and fauna in the country. When, in reality, the funds may come in but, instead of being deployed to protect the environment—especially preserving trees to fight climate change—the government appears handicapped as individuals and groups have taken over, felling trees indiscriminately.”