The Cross River State Government has issued a stern warning to communities, individuals, and groups involved in the unauthorized sale, allocation, lease, or transfer of lands within forest reserves, declaring such transactions illegal and void. The announcement was made by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Rt. Hon. George O’Ben-Etchi, during a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday.
Illegal Dealings Threaten Forest Integrity
O’Ben-Etchi expressed deep concern over what he described as a growing trend of illegal dealings involving portions of forest reserves across the state. He emphasized that ownership and control of all forest reserves are vested exclusively in the Cross River State Government under existing laws, rendering any private sale or transfer of such lands unlawful.
“The government strongly condemns this unlawful practice, as it threatens the integrity of protected forest areas and undermines ongoing efforts to conserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable management of the state’s forest resources,” he stated.
Directive to Desist and Caution to Buyers
The chairman directed all communities, traditional institutions, individuals, and groups engaged in such activities to desist immediately. He also cautioned prospective buyers, companies, and organizations seeking to acquire land within forest reserves that such transactions confer no legal rights and are therefore null and void.
“Individuals, companies, and organizations that have purchased or are in the process of acquiring lands within forest reserves are advised to take note that such transactions are null and void and confer no legal rights whatsoever,” O’Ben-Etchi said.
Strict Enforcement Measures Ahead
O’Ben-Etchi warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract strict enforcement measures, including the recovery of illegally acquired lands and assets, as well as investigation and prosecution of all persons involved. He said the directive reflects the commission’s commitment to protecting Cross River State’s forest heritage and preserving critical ecosystems for future generations.
To ensure compliance, he directed Commissioners, Zonal Officers, Forest Officers, and Chief Rangers to enforce the order across the state. The chairman reiterated the commission’s resolve to safeguard forest reserves and prevent activities that could compromise environmental conservation efforts.
Ecological Significance of Cross River Forests
Cross River State’s forests account for over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s remaining tropical rainforests and harbour globally significant biodiversity, including the critically endangered Cross River gorilla and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. However, these ecosystems continue to face severe threats from logging, mining, and agricultural expansion.
