By: Blessing Enagu, CRS – MOI Officer reporting from Ministry of Climate Change and Forestry
Ahead of the Statewide declaration and compoundment of offences on illegal logging, the Cross River State Commissioner for Climate Change and Forestry, Ntufam Donatus Etim has admonished the Task Force to uphold integrity and transparency during the excercise as indiscriminate act shall not be condoned.
Giving the charge during the Committee’s inauguration in his Office in Calabar, Ntufam Etim urged members to work within the mandate, avoid conflicts and above all work for the overall interest of the State.
He reminded them to also carry out declaration on non- timber forest products (NTFPs) and hinted that an undisclosed 3- man Committee would be set up to verify the submissions of the excersie.
Responding, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Bette Obi,who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Afforestation, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them and assured that the Committee would work within the mandate and deliver on its objectives.
The Committee was inaugurated with the terms of taking comprehensive inventory of all illegally sawn timber across the State, to identify key stakeholders for the exercise and adopt appropriate tariffs in consultation with the leaders of Timber Dealers Association in the State.
The terms of reference also included: to ensure that all income is transparently credited to government account and elicit appropriate feedback.
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