By Obio Monday

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has approved the immediate lifting of ban on illegal logging in the state.

The governor also approved the dissolution of the Task Force on Illegal Logging.

A statement on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh read :

The general public is hereby informed that the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the immediate lifting of ban on logging in Cross River State.

The Anti-Deforestation Task Force on logging is hereby dissolved. His Excellency has also directed that,

1. As enshrined in the Cross River State Forest Law and Regulations 2011, any llegally sawn wood across the Stale is considered an offence and to face compoundment. Furthermore, prohibition of sawing wood in the forest reserve is stil in force.

2. All registration of forestry related activities such as timber permiteeship, non-timber permiteeship, registration of farmers in the forest reserve are to report to the Cross River State Forestry Commission for compliance.

3. Finally, all ongoing farming/mining in forest reserves are expected to report to the Cross River State Forestry Commission for authentication.

Members of the public are required to ensure compliance as Government sues for co-operation of al. Defaulters of this directive will be prosecuted.