Cross River govt cracks down on illegal forest reserve transactions

The Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC) has banned the unauthorised sale, allocation, lease, and transfer of land within forest reserves across the state, declaring all such transactions null and void.

The directive was contained in a public notice signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Ntufam Rt. Hon. George O’Ben-Etchi.

According to the statement, the Commission expressed concern over an increasing incidence of illegal land transactions by certain communities, individuals, and groups. The regulatory body maintained that these activities violate existing state laws, which vest exclusive ownership and control of all forest reserves in the Cross River State Government.

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The CRSFC condemned the practice, stating that it threatens the integrity of protected areas and undermines ongoing efforts towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management.

“All communities, traditional institutions, individuals, and groups involved in the illegal sale or transfer of forest reserve lands are hereby directed to desist from such activities immediately,” the statement read in part.

The Commission further advised individuals, companies, and organisations that have purchased or are in the process of acquiring lands within the reserves that such transactions confer no legal rights.

Defaulters of the directive face strict enforcement measures. The Commission announced that it will recover all illegally acquired lands and assets and will initiate investigations and prosecutions against all complicit persons and entities.

To ensure compliance, the Chairman has mandated all Commissioners, Zonal Officers, Forest Officers, and Chief Rangers to enforce the directive across the state.