Host communities decry neglect by national park authorities

Several communities where the Cross River National Park, CRNP, traverses have accused the authorities of the park of neglecting them.

The communities alleged that CRNP has not employed their children, granted them contracts or carried out corporate social responsibility activities.

Speaking on behalf of others, Ntufam Ignatious Eno, the village head of the Obung community, raised their concern during stakeholders’ meeting with the Wildlife Conservation Society.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, he again reiterated that CRNP failed to employ their youths or provide alternative sources of livelihood to dissuade them from depending on the forests for economic sustenance.

“They have been promising to provide other economic alternatives for our people who depended on the forests for food and income.

“Most of the host communities have not yet gotten such training and support. We in this community have not benefited from any employment by CRNP.

“Most people that have been engaged, though from Akamkpa LGA, are not from CRNP host communities. This is not fair at all,” he stated.

There are over 100 communities in Akamkpa, Boki, Ikom, and Etung LGAs which play host to the park.

Another stakeholder from another host community, Peter Echie, said: “We need economic packages, revolving loan schemes and public amenities. You can’t take away our sources of income without giving us alternatives.”

He said such would dissuade them from hunting and tampering with other forest resources.

Reacting, Caroline Olory, the conservator of the park, debunked the assertion, saying no host community can argue that they have not benefited from their presence.

“No community can say that they have one way or another not benefited from the CRNP. If it is not by direct employment of their youths, then indirectly, most of the communities have garnered favours and support from the Park which is owned by the Federal Government.

“But I am not happy that these communities connive with (illegal) miners to devastate the Park yet they cannot ask them to build roads or such amenities for them and the peanuts they received from miners wouldn’t be enough for them for their compromise.”