They are requesting the state to identify portions of the forest reserves that have suffered significant degradation.
During their plenary session yesterday, the lawmakers advocated for the declassification of large sections of these forests to enable local communities to engage in crop cultivation and other agricultural activities.
Concerned about the ongoing illegal mining activities, largely carried out by foreigners, the lawmakers called on the government to strengthen the State’s Forestry Commission.
They emphasized that empowering the Commission would enhance its capacity to curb illegal activities in the remaining forest reserves and help protect their ecological integrity.
The motion was presented by the member representing Boki 1 State Constituency, Bette Obi, who expressed concern that the degraded forest areas no longer fulfill their intended ecological purposes.
According to his motion, such degraded areas are no longer viable for conservation purposes.
In his presentation, Obi also highlighted the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates that commodities like cocoa, palm oil, and timber must not be linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
He further explained that the EUDR prohibits the importation of products sourced from land located within or adjacent to forest reserves.
Based on this premise, the lawmaker advocated for the declassification of the degraded forest areas for agricultural use, allowing products cultivated there to remain eligible for sale in EUDR-compliant markets.
Other legislators also voiced concerns that farmers in Cross River could lose access to European Union markets, urging swift action to prevent potential sanctions from the EU.
