By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

The Cross River State House of Assembly has called on the state government and the Forestry Commission to immediately impose a ban on illegal logging activities around the Heritage Monolith sites to safeguard these ancient cultural artifacts.

The lawmakers also recommended that the State Tourism Bureau assume full management of the sites to ensure their effective preservation and harness them for tourism revenue generation.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Thomas Aruku, member representing Ogoja State Constituency.

Aruku noted that the Monolith Heritage Sites, known as akwanshi among the Bakor people, are scattered across communities in Ikom and Ogoja Local Government Areas.

These include Nkarasi, Nnam, Alok, Nde, Nta, and Abayom in Ikom LGA, as well as Emmandack 2 and Nfom in Ogoja LGA.

He expressed deep concern over the growing threat posed by illegal wood loggers operating in the reserved forests surrounding these sites.

According to him, the activities have led to deforestation that endangers the natural habitat of the monoliths, while some artifacts have been defaced, damaged due to neglect, or outrightly stolen for commercial gain.

“Over time, these illegal loggers have not only depleted the forests but are also stealing the monoliths for sale, thereby eroding the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Bakor communities,” Aruku lamented.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Samuel Neji Abang (Ikom 1) stressed the economic potential of the monoliths as tourist attractions, urging swift intervention to preserve them and boost the state’s revenue through tourism.

Other lawmakers echoed calls for stronger enforcement against illegal logging in reserved forest zones statewide and the development of the monoliths into viable tourism assets.

In his remarks, Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem voiced serious concern, citing Kenya’s successful tourism model driven by well-managed heritage sites.

He emphasized that proper preservation and management of the monoliths would benefit the economy and secure the cultural legacy for future generations.

The House directed the relevant agencies to act urgently on the resolutions.