Henceforth, Cross River State Government will take severe sanctions against the forest cartels that lumber timber illegally in the State, no matter how highly placed.
The sanction will not spare top government functionaries, serving and retired senior security agents as well as top politicians who are involved in depleting Cross River Forests.
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Governor Ben Ayade made this known Thursday in Calabar, while briefing government house correspondents on the Concerns of exposing Cross River and Nigeria to deforestation.
The Governor who described the acts of the forest cartels as unacceptable, said illegal wood lumbering was leading to deforestation, destruction of the ecosystem and diminished resilience to climate change which the State can no longer bear.
Governor Ayade said his government will fully implement the new directive to stop illegal wood lumbering and strengthen forest governance in Nigeria, Starting from Cross River State.
Uncontrolled wood lumbering in Cross River State forest, that provides valuable habitat for endangered Western Lowland Gorillas, chimpanzees amongst other species according to Governor Ayade will cause social conflict and Environmental hazards to animals, plants and People of the State.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
