Worried by the increasing rate of illegal logging in Cross River communities, environmental experts, 28 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and others have petitioned the Federal Government, United Nations and others, seeking urgent intervention.
In an open letter made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Calabar and sent to the Minister of Environment, the UN, the groups also raised concerns over attacks on indigenous communities and deforestation of the Ekuri Forest in Cross River.
They accused a private firm, Ezemac International Company Limited, of deploying bulldozers into the forest without the consent of Ekuri community. They alleged that when the company was resisted, it mobilised security personnel and invaded Ekuri community.
Citing human rights and environmental harms, the 28 organisations and the Ekuri community called on authorities in Nigeria, the UN and others “to put an end to any acts of harassment and to ensure that Ekuri community carry out their legitimate activities without hindrance or fear of reprisal.”
“We urge Ezemac International Company Limited to refrain from criminalising indigenous human rights defenders, who manage the Ekuri community rainforest; recognise and respect human rights defenders, and the collective rights of indigenous peoples and promote indigenous and community-led development priorities,” the petition read.
They also demanded that international companies must immediately suspend sourcing of timber from Ezemac until conflicts between Ezemac and Ekuri community are resolved.
BUT in a reaction, the Chief Executive Officer of Ezemac International Nigeria Limited, Chief Ezenwa Daniel Igwe, in telephone chat, said his men entered part of Ekuri forest unknowingly. He said the state government and the state Forestry Commission are aware of his activities in the forest and and that he paid to the state before entering the forest.
He denied any wrongdoing, saying: “After the encroachment, I was called to stop work and was fined N5 million, which I paid. They just want to frustrate my business. The state government and the State Forestry Commission are aware of my activities in the forest and I paid money to the state before entering the forest. I also have an agreement with the village people.”
