The governor of Cross River State Sen Bassey Edet Otu, has dissolved the Anti-deforestation taskforce on logging saying that any illegally sawn of wood across the state is considered an offence.
As the ban on logging has been lifted with immediate effect, a release with reference number SSG/GSA/102/VOL.VI/226 dated April 10, 2023, and signed by the secretary to the state government Prof Owan Enoh, said prohibition of sawing wood in the forest reserve is still in force and culprits are to face compounment.
Meanwhile, all registration of related forest activities such as timber permiteeship, non-timber permiteeship, registration of farmers in the forest reserve are to report to the Cross River State Forestry Commission for compliance.
It said all ongoing farming/mining in the forest reserve are expected to report to the Cross River State Forestry Commission for authentication.
The release in part reads, “the general public is hereby inform that the governor of Cross River State Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the immediate lifting of ban on logging in Cross River State.”
“The Anti-deforestation taskforce on logging is hereby dissolved. His Excellency has also directed that, members of the public are required to ensure compliance as Governmment sues for cooperation of all, defaulters of this directive will be prosecuted,” it said.