Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Forestry, Hon. Bette Obi
By Anietie Akpan
The Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA), has barred Ezemac International (Nig.) Ltd. from further logging activities in New Ekuri Community in Akamkpa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state without due process.
Consequently, the company has been fined the sum of N15 million as payment of financial compensation to the community for logs cut and other damages that arose in the face off the company had with the community.
A few weeks ago, the New Ekuri community had accused Ezemac International, a wood processing company in the state of logging illegally in its forests without due permits, halting activities of the company which led to the arrest and criminalization of their community leader, Dr Martins Egot.
Concerned about the environmental, social, and security implications, the Community alongside various civil society organizations submitted petitions to the CRHA and other relevant authorities seeking urgent intervention to prevent escalation, protect the New Ekuri forest, and uphold the rule of law.
Following the petition and subsequent intervention of the CRHA, through the timely and constructive mediation of the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Forestry, led by Hon. Bette Obi, and the Member representing Akamkpa I State Constituency, Ntufam Okon Owuna, a peaceful resolution was achieved as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on February 16, between the New Ekuri community and Ezemac International (Nig) Ltd.
The Village Head of New Ekuri and Clan Head of Ekuri Clan, HRM Oboul Abel Egbe and the New Ekuri community Leader, Dr. Martins Egot signed for their community while the Managing Director of Ezemac International, Chief Ezenwa Igwe, signed for his company. The Member representing Akamkpa 1, State Constituency, Ntufam Okon Owuna signed as witness.
A statement made available to some newsmen in Calabar on Tuesday , March 3 by Dr. Egot, said key utcomes of the settlement and most significant “is the formal recognition of New Ekuri Community as the lawful custodian of our forest. The agreement affirms that no company may lawfully operate within our forest without the express consent of the community.
“This represents not only a victory for New Ekuri, but also an important precedent for host communities across Nigeria defending their environmental heritage”.
Under the signed MoU, Egot said, “the company has agreed to pay: N8 million as compensation for wood already cut, N2 million as refund of legal and dispute-related expenses and N5 million dedicated specifically for environmental restoration” amounting to N15 million.
He said, the MoU also specified that, “all payments must be made before any evacuation of already cut wood. No payment, No evacuation, No payment, No machinery operation.
“This condition ensures accountability and protects the community from further exploitation”.
According to Egot, in the MoU the Company has provided binding assurances that: “No further cutting or felling of trees shall occur. Their presence in the forest is strictly limited to evacuation of already cut wood.
“Full withdrawal from the forest must occur immediately after evacuation. No future logging rights exist unless expressly approved under a fresh agreement sanctioned by the community. This effectively halts any expansion of logging activities in our forest”.
Egot stated that the major gain from the MoU, “is the structured environmental restoration commitment: N5 million allocated for raising and planting 10,000 tree seedlings.
“Nursery development and replanting to be implemented by our Community Ecoguards. Technical supervision and coordination by Panacea for Developmental and Infrastructural Challenges for Africa Initiative (PADIC-Africa). Mandatory ecological restoration of all access roads opened by bulldozers to prevent erosion and unauthorized access”.
This agreement, he noted transforms conflict into an opportunity for ecological regeneration.
While commending the CRHA for its impartial and effective mediation, Civil Society Organizations, the media and others for their support, Egot said, “at the height of the dispute, tensions were understandably high. However, the leadership and youth of New Ekuri demonstrated remarkable restraint and discipline. We chose lawful engagement over confrontation, dialogue over destruction, and institutional processes over chaos.Today, peace has prevailed”.
He said, this outcome demonstrates that: “Communities can defend their forests through lawful and peaceful means. Environmental justice is achievable through dialogue and institutional engagement. Sustainable forest governance must respect host communities as peaceful advocacy yields lasting and constructive results”.
New Ekuri Community is foremost for its forest conservation initiatives that is recognized worldwide and it plays host to the vast majority of Nigeria’s remaining rainforest forest.
Egot assured that, Ekuri “remains firmly committed to protecting our rainforest — our heritage, our climate shield, and the legacy we leave for future generations. This is not merely a local achievement. It is a significant step forward for environmental justice in Nigeria”.
