The Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA) has stepped into the dispute between the Ekuri forest community and timber firm, Ezemac International (Nig.) Limited, following allegations of unsustainable and unauthorised logging activities in the community forest.
Members of the Ekuri community had accused the company of operating without due process, including the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and community consent.
The community also alleged that security agencies were deployed to intimidate residents amid ongoing logging activities.
In response to the controversy, the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources convened a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Ekuri community (Old and New), Ezemac International, the Cross River State Forestry Commission and other relevant stakeholders.
Addressing the committee, a community leader, Dr. Martins Egot, said the dispute reflects broader concerns about community forest governance and environmental protection in the state.
He alleged that large-scale logging was taking place in the Ekuri forest without the required approvals, warning that intimidation and weak regulatory oversight threaten conservation efforts and undermine community rights.
Several lawmakers raised concerns over the environmental implications of the alleged activities. Egbe Egbe Abeng (Obubra II) criticised reports of bulldozers being used in the forest and described the financial arrangement between the company and the community as exploitative. Linus Etim (Akamkpa II) stressed that host communities retain the right to protect their forests when agreements are breached or have expired.
Also contributing, Okon Owuna (Akamkpa I) disclosed that documents before the House showed Ezemac was licensed to operate in government forest reserves, not community forests. He warned that mechanised logging poses a serious threat to forest sustainability, particularly in the Akamkpa axis.
Responding on behalf of the company, Ezemac’s manager, Mr. Steven Asuwac, acknowledged that the firm had encroached into Ekuri forest in 2023, adding that compensation was paid at the time. He denied allegations of destructive logging practices, insisting that chainsaws, not bulldozers, were used and that the company had engaged the community and employed local youths.
Chairman of the State Forestry Commission, Dr. George Oben-Etchi, confirmed that while Ezemac holds a valid permit to operate in government forest reserves, logging in community forests requires regulatory approval as well as negotiations and consent from host communities.
Ruling on the matter, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bette Obi, faulted lapses in forest monitoring and revenue tracking, citing discrepancies between the volume of timber extracted and official forestry records.
He directed Ezemac to suspend all actions capable of escalating tension, withdraw any security involvement, and engage the Ekuri community strictly in line with environmental laws and due process.
The committee also asked the Ekuri community to present a unified position as the Assembly continues efforts to protect environmental sustainability, uphold community rights and ensure lawful investment in Cross River State’s forest sector.
