In a decisive move to restore integrity and accountability within the Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC), the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi has announced an end to all forms of illegal activities and misconduct in the commission.
Hon. Oben-Etchi, who made the declaration during a meeting with staff and Timber Dealers Association at Gomez Plaza Hotels in Calabar, highlighted the significant role of State Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu in reinstating order and called upon all stakeholders to adhere to the Governor's directives to ensure smooth operations and achieve desired results.
Addressing the issues at hand, the Chairman lamented the challenges posed by staff misconduct, including the exploitation of fees and mismanagement of government revenues, which had caused significant financial losses for the state.
“The Commission became a fertile ground for blackmail and gossip. Staff misrepresented facts, diverted revenue and undermined authority. That era is over,” Oben-Etchi asserted.
To rectify the situation, the Commission has appointed commissioners to oversee daily operations, ensuring all revenue collected is channeled directly into government accounts, leading to a marked increase in revenue.
Oben-Etchi further announced the Governor’s directive for full automation of the Commission's revenue collection, banning cash transactions and committing to staff training by Nugi Technologies for improved transparency in processing Evacuation Passes and fees.
He warned staff against illegal practices, stating, “Anyone caught undermining the system will face the full wrath of the law.”
The Chairman reassured honest Timber Dealers of a fair and transparent operational system, emphasizing their importance as partners in revenue generation for the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bassey Onoyom Bassey echoed the Chairman’s sentiments, recounting her experience upon assuming office as “pathetic” due to a lack of discipline and teamwork among staff and stressed that stricter supervision would now guide employee performance.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Timber Control, Mr. Daniel Bisong and Mr. Emmanuel Edem, pledged their full cooperation with the Commission to enforce due process in the issuance of Automated Evacuation Passes.
Commissioners, including Hon. Emmanuel Abeng, Hon. Emmanuel Oyo, and Hon. Isaac Obo, urged staff to resist corruption and align with the Governor’s forestry reforms.
Timber dealers, represented by President Mr. Ator Odu Ogar, offered apologies for past mistakes and pledged their support for the automation initiative. He also appealed for the restoration of the permiteeship system to curb illegal operations in the State.
Christiana Ushang
