A coalition of 19 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Cross River State has described the state’s Forestry Law 2010 as outdated and urgently in need of comprehensive reform to curb deforestation, strengthen institutions, and empower forest-dependent communities.
The groups reached this conclusion after a six-month review of the law. They presented their findings and recommendations at a news conference in Calabar on Wednesday.
Mr. Ken Henshaw, Executive Director of We the People, identified commercial agriculture—particularly the recent cocoa boom—as a major driver of deforestation in the state.
He warned that the rapid expansion of monoculture cocoa plantations is creating “green deserts” with minimal biodiversity and limited long-term livelihood benefits for local people.
Henshaw argued that cocoa, grown primarily for export, should not justify the destruction of indigenous forests. He emphasized that intact standing forests deliver greater economic value through climate finance, carbon sequestration, and ecotourism—if supported by sound policies.
“I fault the Cross River Forestry Law 2010 for treating communities as passive recipients of government decisions rather than active stakeholders in forest governance,” Henshaw said.
He called for the proposed review to include community representatives and academics on the board of the Cross River State Forestry Commission to enhance transparency, accountability, and technical expertise.
Dr. Martin Ergot, founder of Padic Africa, said the reform aims to reposition the Forestry Commission with clear, enforceable mandates for reforestation, regeneration, and afforestation.
He criticized the current law for imposing weak penalties for forest offenses and highlighted frequent failures by enforcement institutions to act decisively against illegal loggers.
Ergot stressed that forest communities must receive direct benefits from forest resources and be meaningfully involved in decisions affecting their ancestral lands.
Similarly, Mr. Nelson Ofem, a former member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, urged the Forestry Commission to harmonize policy proposals and adopt a legal framework that prioritizes sustainability, accountability, and genuine community participation.
He appealed to the media to sustain advocacy for forest protection until comprehensive reforms are enacted to safeguard Cross River’s forests for future generations.
The CSOs’ joint position underscores growing concern over accelerating forest loss in one of Nigeria’s most biodiverse states, where weak legal frameworks, inadequate enforcement, and exclusion of local communities continue to undermine conservation efforts and long-term economic resilience.
