C’River Assembly Calls For Immediate Eviction Of Fulani Illegal Miners From Boki Forest Reserve

The Cross River State House of Assembly Wednesday in Calabar Called for State government intervention in evicting illegal Fulani Miners currently destroying Boki forest reserve. In a Motion of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Hon. Bette Philip Obi, Member Boki 1 State Constituency, Cross River State House of Assembly, he enumerated how over 1000 illegal Fulani Miners invaded Okwa 1, Okwa 2 and Okwango communities all in Boki Local Area with a view to mine mineral resources domiciled in the State Forest Reserve codenamed, Okwango National Park.

The Boki born Lawmaker cautioned that should such illegal mining activities continue unchecked, it will spell doom to the cherished Biodiversity and Carbon credit the State yean for as activities of the miners are inimical to environmental sustainability.  Hon. Obi who doubles as Chairman, House Committee on Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources added that growing influx of the miners who had outnumbered indigenous dwellers without formal means of identification is a looming timed-bomb for Cross River State. The erudite Parliamentarian prayed the State Government through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to as a matter of urgency curb the menace perpetrated by said illegal Miners in aforementioned Boki Communities.  

 His other prayers are, for the Cross River State Boundary Commission to rise up to the occasion of safeguarding her indigenes of Boki extraction. The Criminologist charged security Agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in illegal mining with increased advocacy on environmental protection.

Meanwhile, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly in his contributions to the Motion called on traditional rulers from affected communities to ascertained damage done their domain from the illegal mining activities. The Assembly Speaker also sued for youths sensitization on peaceful engagement with unknown miners to avoid break down of law and order.

Other Parliamentarians shared their sentiments on purging Cross River State particularly Boki of illegal miners. To this end, they advocated for prompt government regulations in the sector through policy frameworks, warned against breeding insecurity in the State on the platter of mining and formation of internal mechanism that provides for accountability and authenticity of registered miners in accordance with extant laws.