Chairman of Cross River Forestry Commission, Mr George Oben-Etche has called for prayers for his safety as those he described as armed forest gangs and some influential men have been after his life since he was appointed.
He said they are after him because of his resolve to contain the reported wanton and indiscriminate deforestation of the forests.
He spoke at a 1-day workshop organised by Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) with a theme: The Crisis of Forest Loss And Threats To Rural Economy In Cross River State in Calabar.
George, a former legislator, said they have sent him several threat messages, and have also reported him to the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu demanding for his sack.
He disclosed several persons have armed gangs and powerful persons backing them to massively cut down age-old trees not minding the grave consequences to nature and man.
“My life is in danger. I need your prayers. But I know that since my intentions for the forests are genuine, my hands are clean, I don’t join them to devastate the forests, they will never succeed to eliminate me
“They claimed that I am blocking them from achieving their nefarious aims.
“They have reported me to the governor several times but thank God that the governor is behind me, demanding that I restore the state of the forest asnit used to be”, he said.
George said most of the beneficiaries are from outside the state, adding that as many as 30 truckloads of timber leave the state almost daily.
He disclosed that since he came in as chairman of the Forestry commission, many arrests have been carried out, and 15 were being prosecuted although traditional rulers and some big men were busy appealing for out of court settlement.
He vowed that he will not be deterred with threats to his life, or stop prosecution, stressing that the perpetrators will be jailed to deter others as far as there is political will from the state government.
He added that to help stem plaundering of forest resources, he applied for engagement of 600 rangers to intensify forest surveillance but the 300 approved have been interviewed, and are to commence work soon.
He commended NCF conservation partners and other stakeholders who are out to stem the destruction of the only remaining rainforest in Nigeria and the wildlife.
Director General of NCF, Dr Joseph Onoja represented by Alhaji Mohammed Garba said their interest is in protecting the forest, biodiversity and the ecosystems.
He stressed that all stakeholders should frown at the rate at which the forests have been destroyed, saying only 4 percent is left.
