Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has issued seven days ultimatum on 32 impounded log-bearing trucks, threatening to confiscate them.
The governor made this known, yesterday, during an on-the-spot inspection of the trucks loaded with illegal timber at the border community with Ebonyi State.
Otu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Emmanuel Ironbar, at Ejiraga, in Yala Council, where the trucks were seized, warned illegal loggers to use the opportunity offered by the state government to regularise their operations.
Alarmed by the devastation of rich biodiversity of the state by criminal logging in the forest reserves of the state, the governor warned of stiff penalties against perpetrators. He, however, commended the anti- deforestation taskforce for prompt action.
While reiterating his administration’s commitment to fighting illegal logging, and other adverse environmental activities in the state, Otu said the impounding of the trucks is a demonstration of his government’s determination to match words with action.
He enjoined forest-bearing communities to assist the government by providing vital information to relevant agencies, warning them to desist from assisting illegal loggers, wildlife poachers and smugglers.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, reads in part: “The governor has directed owners of the seized trucks with illegal timber/logs to report at the office of the Permanent Secretary, state Forestry Commission, within seven days for necessary compounding of their trucks.
“Failure to adhere to this directive would lead to final confiscation and auction of the trucks and timber.”
