The Government of Cross River State has raised alarm over the massive presence of foreigners believed to come from Chad and Niger Niger Republics into the state
According to reports, the foreigners have taken over 80 per cent of the state forest reserves in the state.
Chairman of Cross River State Forestry Commission, George Oben-Etchi spoke when forests, environment experts and other stakeholders deliberated on the wanton destruction of the vast forests in the state at a 1-day workshop organised by We The People with the theme: Fostering Strategies and Partnerships for Forest Protection in Cross River State.
Oben-Etchi said the Chadians, Nigeriens and some from northern parts of the country are deeply involved in the illegal mining of precious stones and wood logging.
He said the foreigners are also heavily armed to support their illegal mining of gold and other natural resources.
He mentioned that there have been several times that state security agencies, in trying to confront them, were overpowered and outgunned.
“These foreigners are heavily armed with far more sophisticated armaments. I remember when we moved with armed security men to dislodge them, it was our state security officials that advised us not to move further because they had superior firepower.”
Representative of the Conservator of Cross River National Park, Rebecca Ikpeme also confirmed that there had been an invasion of the protected areas in the state by strange elements whose nativity is not traceable.
“The illegal miners don’t have traceable identities. They are armed. Several times we have arrested some of them but ‘some Alhajis’ would intervene and get them released.
“Illegal mining is a big problem because the miners would come with official licenses.
Ken Henshaw of We The People said, his group and other CSOs are appalled that illegal mining and woodlogging are done in all parts of the state so much so that the forests have vastly been depleted.
Henshaw said, “Cross River state is experiencing the fastest spate of forest loss globally. Aside from logging activities, other factors including the expansion of commercial plantations have been highly complicit in forest loss. The impacts have been overwhelming.
The climate change mitigation capacities of Cross River State have been significantly reduced, the wildlife population has reduced on account of forest loss and the state has lost vast opportunities in conservation-related economic activities.”
