In no specific order they gathered, armed with placards and banners chanting “our forest our lives, our lives our forest” as they matched down the road of Ekuri heading to the Ugep-Ikom federal highway by Ochon junction demanding an end to the wanton destruction going on in Edondo, Okokon and Ekuri forests of Obubra and Akamkpa Local Government Areas of Cross River state in South South of Nigeria.
The people of Edondon, Okokori, Old and New Ekuri took to the streets two days ago to protest the indiscriminate and brazen ravaging of their forests by illegal loggers. They communities and the Cross River State Forestry Commission accused one another of aiding and abetting the illegal logging.
In all these imbroglio, the people especially women, who have lost their means of livelihood, the state government and others are suffering while few unscrupulous impudent elements smile to the banks as the age long Ekuri forest, the pride of the state and Nigeria is rapidly depleting after surviving the onslaught from the lingering Super highway project of the state that was to consume 10km from each side of the road. The Pillar Today was there to capture it all. Pictures below tell the story and the Special woods they cut for export with the aid of some local finders include, Bobinga, Black Afara, Apa and others.
