By Kelvin Obambon
The Cross River State Forestry Commission has issued a stern directive to timber dealers across the state, ordering the immediate evacuation of all timber illegally dumped along roadsides.
In a move aimed at restoring order to the state’s forestry sector, the Commission has provided a two-week grace period for dealers to move their products to officially designated government gantries.
The directive follows a noted surge in the unlawful abandonment of timber along major transit routes, a practice the Commission says flagrantly violates established forestry regulations. According to the Commission, these roadside deposits serve to bypass official storage and processing protocols, thereby hindering the state’s ability to manage its natural resources effectively.
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In a release dated April 8, 2026, which was signed by the Chairman and CEO of the Commission, Ntufam Rt. Hon. Deac. George O’ben-Etch, PhD, the Cross River State Forestry Commission condemned the trend, stating that it “undermines the operations of its monitoring and evacuation teams and disrupts efforts to ensure compliance with established forestry guidelines.”
The release further emphasized that the state would no longer tolerate practices that threaten the integrity of its environmental policies.
“This action underscores the Commission’s commitment to promoting sustainable forestry practices and ensuring the proper management of timber resources across Cross River State,” the statement reads.
The Commission warned that the two-week window, starting from the date of the notice, is final. Dealers who fail to comply face “strict enforcement measures,” which will include the total confiscation of any timber found at unapproved roadside locations.
To ensure the directive is carried out effectively, the Commission has mandated all Commissioners, Zonal Officers, Forest Officers, and Chief Rangers to begin immediate enforcement and monitoring across their respective jurisdictions.
The move seeks to curb environmental degradation and support regulated forestry operations in the state.
