The sum of N500 million is now been demanded as compensation from Ezemac International Nigeria Limited by the People of Ekuri Community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State over the company’s illegal logging activities in the Ekuri forest, a Community Conserved Area (CCA) in the community.
The Ekuri Community is also demanding that “Ezemac International Nigeria Limited takes immediate steps to end logging of Ekuri forest and pullout immediately from the said forest.”
The disclosure was made on Sunday by Mr Edwin Ogar, the Programme Coordinator of Worthy Association for Tackling Environmental Ruins (WATER) who said that the community was no longer comfortable with the activities of the company which he described as very bad. Ogar has the power of attorney from the Ekuri Community to conserve and manage the community forest for the livelihood and improvement of Ekuri villagers.
He said the efforts they have put in to conserve the forest for years has been brought to nought by the comapny and that without permission.
According to him, Registered under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), the Ekuri forest is a protected area that has equal status like the national protected areas or forest in Nigeria, according to him.
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He noted that the community was also seeking an urgent international intervention as their forest was under threat of extinction.
The N500 million been sought from Ezemac as compensation is for the illegal entry, destruction of swathe of Ekuri forest including timber, understory, poles, non-timber forest products, medicinal plants, cultural heritage, watersheds and animal habitats.
However, in his reaction, Mr Ezenwa Igwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Ezemac International Nigeria Limited, said the company did not make a deliberate encroachment on the forest. Rather, its presence there was due to an invitation by the community to help it open a road for them through the forest, which he failed to do based on certain conditions surrounding the work.
“We entered into peace talk and they said since I have entered their forest without permission, I should do cleansing and pay the sum of N580,000.
“They went for counting and said I should pay for 100 trees and any extra and I entered into an agreement with them for the money,” he said.
According to him, he was called to stop work as he had encroached into the Ekuri forest after two days, during which the Ekuri community people removed the batteries of his caterpillars, thereby causing some damages.
Story was adapted from Enviro News.
