Cross Rivers State government has solicited the support of the Federal Government in enhancing the environment sector of the state to maintain its place as one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in Nigeria and continually manage its forest reserves.

The Commissioner for Environment, Moses Osogi, made the appeal when he visited the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, in his office in Abuja.

Osogi said Cross River is home to the last virgin rainforests in Nigeria with a national park and rich biodiversity that hosts about 16 primate species of chimpanzees, drills and (in Okwangwo) Cross River gorillas.

The Commissioner, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to pay special attention to the state’s forests and compliment the administration of Governor Bassey Out’s commitment to protect and preserve the rich environment of the state.

Osogi also advocated for the compensation of host communities of the rich forests, as not doing this is gradually making these communities to exploit forest resources, thereby endangering the biodiversity as most of them rely on the forests for survival.

He stressed that the lack of incentives for host communities of forest, in the area of flooding and erosion control, amongst others, are the challenges faced by the state, adding that the issue of the recurring flooding as a result of opening of the Cameroonian dam cannot be overemphasised.

Osogi decried the relegation of Cross River State despite its enormous contribution to ecological protection of Nigeria.