By Comfort Olayinka The member Representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, also the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Environment has bemoaned the lowly status of Nigeria as a global hub for wildlife trafficking in recent years.
Hon. Ugbor who expressed disappointment in the illegal activities of poachers and smugglers in Nigeria,has also called for action to stop the trend.
He further stated that addressing issues like these requires multifaceted approach, stricter enforcement, community engagement, and international cooperation which will in turn play crucial role in combating it.
The Lawmaker made this known at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja at a one day policy dialogue on “The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill 2024,” Hon. Ugbor who sponsored the bill, reiterated the activities of poachers portend grave dangers to the nation’s economy.
According to him, “Nigeria has emerged with the unenviable status as a global hub for wildlife trafficking in recent years, and continues to be considered as one. Nigeria must therefore act quickly and work to reverse this negative status and threat to our beautiful country and the world.
He continued, “The passage of this legislation will mark a major milestone for global conservation efforts and Nigeria’s international image. The passage of this bill will also advance the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives for Nigeria’s environmental sustainability.” he added.
Hon. Ugbor also noted that, the proposed legislation is “Aimed to address threats to biodiversity in Nigeria and across Africa by providing a consistent and strong legal framework to put an end to wildlife trafficking. In doing this, it embodies recommendations made following a consultative and collaborative analysis of relevant Nigerian laws for addressing wildlife trafficking, undertaken by Shamini Jayanathan, a criminal justice expert.”
He added that, biodiversity is threatened by the actions of wildlife criminals even as he noted that insecurity and zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19 have been traced to vices associated with wildlife criminality.
Stating the importance of the dialogue, the lawmaker stressed the need to ensure that Nigeria’s biodiversity is supported by strong and comprehensive endangered species legislation, saying “Nigeria is also a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora obligating the strengthening of our legal framework for biodiversity conservation and this bill seeks to give effect to those obligations.
“Although not strictly a requirement of the lawmaking process, this policy dialogue is necessary to harmonise stakeholders’ position on the bill and clear the way for its expeditious approval and adoption as law.”
The Lawmaker further commended the Environmental Investigation Agency, Africa Nature Investors Foundation, and Wild Africa Fund for their input in the bill even as he acknowledged the donations of the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, as well as the Pangolin Conservation Fund.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal who was represented by the deputy director department of forestry federal ministry of environment Razaq Adekola said, outdated laws and legislations remains one of the challenges confronting sustainable forest and biodiversity conservation in the country.
