Stakeholders in Cross River State have called on the state government to significantly increase the recruitment of forest guards and rangers to strengthen forest protection and tackle rising security concerns within forest communities.
The call was made during discussions on forest conservation and security, where participants stressed that the current number of personnel is inadequate to effectively safeguard the state's vast forest reserves from illegal logging, poaching, and other environmental crimes.
Cross River is home to some of Nigeria's largest remaining tropical rainforests, making the protection of these natural resources critical to environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and local livelihoods. Stakeholders argued that expanding the forest guard workforce would not only improve surveillance and enforcement but also create employment opportunities for youths across the state.
They urged Governor Bassey Otu to prioritize the recruitment drive and ensure that forest protection efforts receive adequate support and funding.
The stakeholders further noted that strengthening the forest guard system would complement ongoing national efforts aimed at securing forests against criminal activities while preserving Cross River's environmental heritage for future generations.
Observers believe that a well-equipped and adequately staffed forest guard service could play a key role in combating illegal logging, protecting wildlife, and enhancing security in remote forest communities across the state.
Post A Comment: