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The Chairman/CEO Cross River State Forestry Commission Rt. Hon. Dr. George O’ben-Etchi has informed that going forward, no wood will leave the state unprocessed as this will add value to the woods leaving the state while creating avenues for Cross Riverians to create wealth through the industry.
O’ben-Etchi made this known during a strategic meeting of critical stakeholders recently held Calabar, where he reiterated the fact that the Commission will only carry out activities based on principles of Sustainable Forest Management, embarking on regeneration and re-afforestation of degraded areas of the forest.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, vowed to reverse the trend were strangers take over eighty percent of timber out of the State unprocessed. He rather encouraged wood dealers outside the state to come and invest in wood processing in Cross River State thus creating jobs for the people. Stating that such investments must have citizens of the state as directors in the company to ensure that part of the wealth remains in the state.
Adding that the policy is in line with the “People First” agenda of the Sen. Prince Bassey Otu which has put the people’s growth and welfare as priority.
The former lawmaker, informed stakeholders that seedlings will soon be raised across the state to achieve reforestation while noting that this will be the first time such steps will be taken over a decade. The Chairman urged all stakeholders to be prepared for the change which will sweep across the forest sector in the state concluding that it will not be business as usual.
Speaking the Member Representing Boki I State Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Forestry Hon. Bette Obi said his committee which has oversight functions over the state’s forests is glad to see the strides made by the Chairman/CEO of the Commission since he was appointed, saying he will support the efforts of the commission towards Sustainable Forest Management.
He thanked the Governor of the State Sen. Prince Bassey Otu for the political will to reposition the forestry sector asserting that this will attract international donors and partners which will bring development to the state. Hon. Bette Obi is also a former chairman of Cross River State Forestry Commission.
Speaking also another former Chairman of the Commission Mr. Odiga Odiga said it gladdens his heart to hear the proposition by the Chairman/CEO that no wood should leave the state without value addition. He asserted that in that way it is possible to make hundreds of millionaires in the sector in the next few years. Mr. Odiga further stated that if players in the sector organize themselves, they can access capital, process wood and export valuable products to Europe, America and Asia. He encouraged them to make the dream come through.
Several stakeholders present while speaking said the policy directions of the Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Otu in the forestry sector is commendable and the Chairman of the Commission Rt. Hon. Dr. George O’ben-Etchi is ticking the right boxes and doing very well in this short period he has been in office. They pledged their support in order to ensure he succeeds.
Present at the event were Commissioners and Management of the CRS Forestry Commission, Special Adviser Forestry, Timber dealers Associations, Non Governmental Organizations and others. The theme of the Strategic Meeting of Critical Stakeholders was “Collaboration fo Sustainable Forest Management and Utilization.