03/09/2025
Cross River Forestry Commission Publishes Approved Revenue Subheads, Withdraws Unauthorized Evacuation Passes
The Cross River State Forestry Commission has formally released an approved list of revenue subheads for collection by the Cross River Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS), as part of ongoing efforts to sanitize the sector and eliminate illegal revenue activities.
The directive, announced in a public statement dated August 28, 2025, and signed by the Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Ntufam (Hon.) George O’ben-Etchi, PhD, follows a mandate by the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to streamline revenue operations and enforce transparency in the forestry sector.
According to the announcement, the following revenue streams are now the only recognized and approved sources to be collected by CRIRS within the Forestry Commission: Fines and Fees; Hammering Fees; Industrial Development Levy on Timber; Joint Tax Board (JTB); Road Infrastructure Levy; Timber market; Chain Saw; Saw Mill; Timber Shades; Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs); Levy from Quarries operating in Forest Reserves; Farms operating in Forest Reserves.
The Commission warned that any person or entity operating outside these approved subheads will face strict consequences. “Members of the general public are by this notice advised to seek clarification from the office of the Chairman/CEO of the State Forestry Commission,” the statement read.
In a related development, a second public service announcement dated September 2, 2025, and signed by the Commission’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bassey Onoyom Bassey, ordered the immediate withdrawal of all unauthorized evacuation passes.
“All evacuation passes previously in the field before this directive are to be withdrawn and returned to the office of the Permanent Secretary with immediate effect,” the statement emphasized.
Field officers were sternly warned that issuance of unauthorized evacuation passes will attract severe disciplinary action.
These directives are part of the state government’s wider push to restore order, accountability, and sustainable practices within the forestry sector, aligning with Governor Otu’s “People First” agenda and reform drive.
