Why UN-REDD programme hasn’t succeeded in Cross River – Commissioner

The Chairman, Cross River State Forestry Commission, Tony Ndiandeye has explained why the much amplified United Nations Programme on Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) did not succeed in the state.

In an interview, he said that illegal wood loggers compromised community elders and they ignored the 2008 ban on wood logging.

“After waiting for so long without getting much, the criminals went into the communities to bribe them, get the chiefs involved, they would do some papers for them to sign. Then, they would go into the forests to start felling trees.

“Quite frankly, most of the livelihoods of our forest bearing communities is dependent on the forests.

“So, the total ban on wood logging of 2008 in the state did not succeed.”

He explained that the UN-REDD programme was a pilot scheme in the state, meant to teach community dwellers alternative survival strategies.

He added that the effect of climate change which was one of the results of illegal logging may not be felt immediately but gradually communities are feeling the impact as the seasons are being altered.

“I want to plead with the elites in our communities to step up their campaigns for the protection of our forests for the preservation of our lives and that of our future generation,” he stated.

Ndiandeye also lamented the depletion of forestry personnel which has truncated its fight against illegal logging in the state, causing deforestation.

He, however, said through some of the structures put in place in the state to check illegal logging, the propensity for illegal logging had reduced but that the communities were fighting back.

He confirmed that the programme will review its strategy in the fight against deforestation.

He maintained that the state would be doing a lot of collaboration with the neighbouring states of Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Benue so that any criminal who beats checks could be stopped even in neighbouring states.