Secretary to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Dr George Ekpungu, has said that the activities of deforestation in Boki local government area have destroyed 75 per cent of forests in the area.
Ekpungu said this on Wednesday in Boki local government area while presenting a paper at the 4th edition of the “Ochibe Banyinyi Bokyi home coming”, known as the general meeting of the Boki women worldwide.
Ekpungu was represented at the occasion by Mr George Odok Jnr.
Ochibe Banyinyi Bokyi is the home coming of Boki women to deliberate on their affairs and chart a way forward for the development of women in the area.
The 2022 theme of the occasion was “Ochibe Banyinyi Bokyi; Our Culture Our Heritage: The Role of Women.
He said that there were allegations that some highly connected timber cartels with the active collaborators of Boki sons in business and government were brazenly razing down the forests reserve.
“It is important to use this forum to bring to the limelight ongoing deforestation activities in Boki land which have exacerbated the effects of climate change and global warming.
“These have destroyed 75 per cent of our forests. If the spike in deforestation could be attributed to the growing population in our land, it would have been understandable.
“Unfortunately, there are actionable allegations that some highly connected timber cartels with the active collaboration of mindlessly greedy Boki sons in business and government, are brazenly razing down reserved and community forests.
“The deforestation cartel cannot succeed without the active collaboration and connivance of indigenous elements hiding behind state government appointments or other privileges.
“They have destroyed our only proud natural heritage for their selfish economic and financial interests,” he said.
Ekpungu said that global warming was not a myth, as its dire impact is exemplified by the increase in floods, droughts, irregular rainfall and the destruction of the natural habitat of unique plants and animals.
“Already, we are experiencing loss of tree canopies resulting in dry drinking streams, wind storms ravaging communities with attendant homelessness, loss of aquatic life, loss of non timber products like wild bush mango and others.
“I therefore urge our mothers, through this strategic platform, to invest some energy in the fight against the continuous desiccation and desecration of our last natural heritage, the Boki forest and its full endowments of flora and fauna.
“Even the traditional establishment has been infiltrated with cash inducement and threats to those who reject the cash and we deeply appreciate their helplessness in many cases.
“Ochibe Banyinyi Bokyi can wade into this with traditional methods to deter the infiltrators from our forests,” he said.
He added that they were women among the group that can resist corruption and get the authorities to end the threat to the existence of the forests.
He commended the women for always speaking out loudly on issues that affects Boki local
government area.
Earlier in her address, President of Ochibe Bokyi Worldwide, Mrs Florence Odok, said that the occasion was focused on capacity building for Boki women and youths through entrepreneurial skills acquisition.
Odok added that the Boki women were out to seek collaboration with the men and other stakeholders with a view to make meaningful developmental strides.
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