CALABAR – In a statement released yesterday, Dr. Prince Michael Nku Abuo, JP, the Director General of the Cross River State Political Network (CRISPON), expressed his full support for the recent decision made by His Excellency Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, to lift the ban on logging. Dr. Abuo hailed the decision as a significant step towards sustainable forest management in the state.
The ban on logging, in place for the past 14 years, was initially implemented to protect the state's forests and prevent the depletion of its valuable resources. However, as Dr. Abuo points out, the ban has proven ineffective in curbing the rampant and unlawful logging activities that have continued unchecked, resulting in the loss of over 20 to 30 percent of the forest reserve.
Governor Otu's decision to lift the ban comes as a welcome development, according to Dr. Abuo. The governor plans to reposition the state forestry commission to responsibly manage and safeguard the forest resources, ensuring that the benefits of logging are distributed equitably among host communities, the state, and the loggers themselves. The new approach will focus on sustainable forest management techniques such as selective logging and forest regeneration.
Selective logging, also known as partial harvesting, targets specific trees for removal while allowing others to continue growing. This method ensures the preservation of natural habitats and the maintenance of the forest ecosystem, promoting the health and biodiversity of the forest. Moreover, selective logging has proven to be economically advantageous, providing a sustainable supply of timber while generating employment opportunities and income for local communities.
Dr. Abuo also highlighted the importance of regenerative forestry, an approach that goes beyond sustainability by restoring degraded forests and enhancing ecosystem biodiversity. By promoting natural regeneration through practices like selective logging, prescribed burning, and diverse species planting, regenerative forestry supports wildlife habitat, aids in carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change, and reduces erosion and soil degradation.
The lifting of the ban on logging is expected to have far-reaching benefits for Cross River State. With the funds that previously lined individual pockets redirected towards state development, job creation, and afforestation initiatives, the host communities will benefit from their forest resources. The regularization of logging activities will ensure responsible practices that balance economic gains with environmental conservation.
Dr. Abuo concluded his statement by commending Governor Otu for his visionary decision and expressing his confidence in the positive outcomes it will bring. He urged the public to embrace sustainable forest management practices, emphasizing that the availability of the state's forest resources should benefit all residents rather than a select few.
With Governor Otu's bold step to lift the ban on logging, Cross River State is set on a path towards responsible and sustainable forest management, safeguarding its natural resources, fostering economic growth, and preserving its rich biodiversity for future generations.
