By Kelvin Obambon
Tensions are mounting in Akamkpa Local Government Area as the New Ekuri community and a local timber firm, Ezemac International Limited, trade accusations over logging activities within one of Nigeria’s most prestigious community-managed forest reserves.
The dispute highlights a growing friction between local conservation efforts and commercial logging interests following the lifting of a state-wide logging moratorium.
In a press statement on Thursday, Dr. Martins Egot, on behalf of New Ekuri Community, alleged that heavy machinery was discovered deep within the Ekuri forest on January 12, 2026, without their “knowledge, consent, or approval.”
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The community, renowned globally for its Ekuri Initiative, a community-led conservation model, claims the presence of the firm is a “direct provocation” that threatens their environmental heritage.
“Our people have protected our forest through community-led forest management for decades,” Egot said. “We believe in sustainable forest management, not destructive logging.”
The situation escalated when community youths seized ignition keys and batteries from the machinery. Dr. Egot alleged that instead of dialogue, the company responded with police petitions, leading to his own arrest and detention in Calabar.
In a swift rebuttal, Mr. Ezenwa Igwe, Managing Director of Ezemac International Limited, dismissed the allegations of illegality. He maintained that his operations are fully backed by the Cross River State Forestry Commission and that he possesses all necessary permits.
“In this state, they have lifted bans. I have a permit that authorizes me to log,” Igwe stated. “If it is illegal, I don’t think that I will have government backup in what I’m doing. You can go to the Forestry Commission and verify.”
Mr. Igwe further claimed that his company is a significant contributor to the local economy, employing over 180 workers and operating a factory within the state to process wood into finished products like doors.
A central point of contention remains whether the community consented to the logging. While the New Ekuri leadership denies any deal, Mr. Igwe insists he has “comprehensive agreements” and has been making regular payments to the community.
“The community that’s claiming this and that, is it not the same community that have been collecting money from me all this while?” Igwe asked. “The community even taxed me that I should buy cow for them. Have you heard any, in the history of Cross River State, that the community will collect cow from a contractor?”
The firm owner suggested that the outcry might be politically motivated, alleging that some community members who are “not registered with the government” are themselves involved in illegal timber sales.
However, the New Ekuri community has called for the immediate removal of all equipment and a transparent investigation into the legality of Ezemac’s permits. They warned that only the intervention of elders has prevented youths from taking more drastic actions, which “could have resulted in violence and loss of lives.”
Meanwhile, efforts to get reactions from the Cross River State Forestry Commission proved abortive as a director in the Commission declined to comment, saying he lacks proper authorization to speak on the matter.
