Cross River Assembly petitioned over alleged illegal logging by Chinese firm

A non-governmental organization, Rainforest Resource and Development Centre (RRDC) has petitioned the Cross River State House of Assembly to inquire into the activities of unidentified Chinese Nationals allegedly involved in illegal wood processing in the Okuni community in the state.

The Executive Director of RRDC, Prince Odey Oyama, disclosed this in a petition to the Cross River state House of Assembly Committee on Forestry and copied to newsmen yesterday in Calabar.

The Guardian reports that the Okuni community is situated in the Ikom Local Government Area within the central senatorial district of Cross River state.

The petitioner in the letter had described the Chinese nationals engaged in the wood logging deal as a nameless company.

While decrying the ecological effects of the unlawful logging activities in Cross River state nay Nigeria, the petitioner also accused some community leaders of aiding and abetting the unwholesome acts.

Consequently, the group among other prayers called on the state House of Assembly to expeditiously unravel the identity, and certification of the Chinese company concerned; if any, and invite the community leaders accused of colluding with her in the illegal logging activities.

The petition was addressed to the Chairman, Cross River House of Assembly Committee on Forestry, Obi Bette.

“With utmost respect, we write to draw the attention of the Cross River State House of Assembly to the presence of Unidentified and Uncertified Chinese nameless Foreign Nationals into Cross River State tropical High Forest Estate in the Okuni Community axis, in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State. The said Chinese Foreign Nationals have commenced operations in wood harvesting and processing within the forest territory of Okuni and its environs.

“They are resident within the premises of MIKES WOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES LIMITED in Okuni. The said Chinese foreign nationals are operating under the auspices of seven (7) village heads namely: His Highness; Okim Ntui Nyambi, His Highness; Okim Edim Mgbe, His Highness; Okim Mbeh Nsor Ogo, His Highness; Okim Odey Odidi as well as His Highness; Okim Enya Agbor.

“We request the Cross River State House of Assembly to invite the seven (7) Effi Chiefs listed above, and their lawyer, Barr. Ichire Imo Okim, to give explanations to the House of Assembly in respect of the particulars of the business and the particulars of the Chinese foreign nationals, who they are currently harbouring in Okuni community.”