A tense dispute over alleged unauthorised logging in New Ekuri Community, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, has been resolved following legislative intervention, with Ezemac International (Nig.) Ltd. agreeing to a N15 million compensation and environmental restoration package.
The disagreement, which drew the attention of civil society organisations and environmental advocates, stemmed from claims by the community that the company entered its forest and commenced logging without its consent.
The situation escalated weeks ago when the Community Leader, Dr. Martins Egot, was arrested amid the standoff, a development that further heightened tensions in the forest-dependent settlement.
Concerned about the environmental and security implications of the impasse, the community and its supporters petitioned the Cross River State House of Assembly and other relevant authorities, calling for urgent intervention.
Their appeal prompted mediation by the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Forestry, chaired by Bette Obi, alongside the lawmaker representing Akamkpa State Constituency, Ntufam Okon Owuna.
Following negotiations, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 16, 2026, outlining terms for compensation, cessation of logging and ecological restoration.
Under the agreement, Ezemac International (Nig.) Ltd. is to pay N8 million as compensation for timber already felled within the community forest.
An additional N2 million will cover legal and dispute-related expenses incurred by the community during the crisis.
The company also committed N5 million specifically for environmental restoration, bringing the total financial settlement to N15 million.
Crucially, the MoU stipulates that all payments must be completed before the company can evacuate already cut logs or operate any machinery within the forest area.
The agreement further affirms the recognition of New Ekuri as the lawful custodian of its forest, reinforcing the principle that no external entity can operate there without the community’s express approval.
As part of the settlement, the company has provided binding assurances that no further tree felling will occur and that its presence in the forest is strictly limited to evacuating previously cut wood.
It is also required to withdraw fully from the forest immediately after evacuation, while any future logging activity would depend on a fresh agreement sanctioned by the community.
Beyond compensation, the MoU provides for structured environmental restoration, including the raising and planting of 10,000 tree seedlings funded by the N5 million allocation.
The reforestation initiative will be carried out by the community’s Ecoguards, with technical supervision and coordination by the Panacea for Developmental and Infrastructural Challenges for Africa Initiative (PADIC-Africa), while access roads opened during logging are to be ecologically restored to prevent erosion and unauthorised entry.
Community leaders described the resolution as a triumph of peaceful advocacy and institutional engagement, noting that despite heightened emotions during the crisis, youths in the area exercised restraint and avoided violence.
Observers say the outcome underscores the growing influence of host communities in forest governance matters and signals the importance of dialogue, legislative oversight and environmental accountability in managing resource-related conflicts in Cross River State.
By Stina Ezin, Calabar