TRACKING >>Cross River State is a major target of illegal logging been that it has one of the largest forest reserves in the world. This natural resource is what is been preserved by the introduction of several government policies considering the global dimension of carbon credit initiative and earnings from the United Nations and it role in addressing global warming and other environmental issues etc.
In a statement made available to TrackNews by the Director General, Cross River State Political Network (CRISPON) Mr. Prince Michael Nku said, Recently the state government constituted an antideforestation taskforce to compliment the effort of the state forest commission in ensuring the proper management/protection of our forest resource.
The mandate of the team is to prevent the logging of trees in our forests and report, arrest and seize logged woods by these loggers etc. For the first time in the history of the state a woman was placed in charge of the taskforce and her strides has been noble thus far.
On ground reports shows that so far the activities of this taskforce set up less than 1month and 2weeks ago has generated so much publicity and results compared to those of previously led taskforce within the said period.
Several trucks of logged woods have been impounded and displayed and recently the First Lady of Cross River State, Dr Mrs Linda Ayade was on ground at one of the site of these loggers to see for herself the extent of damage caused by these loggers and witness the noble strides of the taskforce.
Now it must be noted that the business of logging in Cross River State is well organized and heavily funded from within and without. And in time past and the present case efforts have been made to compromise the taskforce.
From the result thus far attained by this current taskforce I can infer the following as the reason for all the sudden blackmail on social media platforms against the taskforce.
1.The taskforce has refused to be compromised.
2.The taskforce has imposed heavy pressure on those who were once operating without fear of acts against their trade.
3.Some members of the team may want to under rate the head of the team because she’s a woman.
4. Those who served as members of the taskforce in the past may not be comfortable with strides made thus far and may want to tarnish the image of the current team.
5.Sacked on ground agents and their logging allies may have initiated a paid campaign against this effective team or infighting amongst the newly constituted team.
With the price tag placed as reward for the taskforce as per siezed/impounded woods it is illogical to reason that the team will leave the huge sum to be benefited for paltry sum.
I want to truly commend the sacrifices and efforts made thus far by Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade who has been at the forefront to provide morale support for the taskforce and i leading this fight of environmental sustainability by tree planting and championing the antideforestation act in Cross River State.
For members of the taskforce they must understand the sacredness of the mandate and trust reposed on them, work together as a team, respect the leadership of the taskforce as constituted and continue to “hunt down” and shut down the activities of illegal loggers in the state. You are highly commended for your effort thus far, keep it up and deepen your reach.Know that when you fight a corrupt system, the system will fight back.Be strong! Let us all join the fight against deforestation!!
Photo below: First shows a picture of Dr Mrs Linda Ayade inspecting activities of illegal loggers in a shut down site by the taskforce and the other photos shows the Chairman and Secretary of the taskforce displaying impounded woods/trucks in one of their stint operations.These photos were taken recently.
