…….Urges active participation of Nigerians
The House of Representatives has been urged to demonstrate a stronger commitment to the protection and conservation of endangered species in the country for posterity by expedition legislative actions on the Wild Protection Bill.
Three local and international organizations made the call in a joint statement made available to environment correspondents in Lagos.
The organizations are Africa Nature Investors Foundation, the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency UK, and Wild Africa.
Their call comes as the Public Hearing on the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024 has been scheduled for October 24, 2024.
The Bill seeks to address wildlife trafficking, and habitat destruction and proposes strict penalties for offenders in the country.
Championed by Hon. Terseer Ugbor, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, the Bill tackles pressing challenges such as illegal wildlife trade, conservation of species, and the decline of Nigeria’s precious wildlife and their habitats.
It also seeks to improve the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, give investigators more powers to look into financial matters and conduct operations guided by intelligence, and enable judges to speed up wildlife cases and recover assets.
Additionally, it aligns with international treaties, encourages global cooperation, and introduces stricter penalties for poachers and traffickers.
According to Hon. Terseer Ugbor,
“Protecting our wildlife means protecting livelihoods and ensuring a balanced ecosystem and we can’t allow wildlife trafficking to continue to threaten our natural heritage, said Hon. Ugbor.
“This hearing will provide a platform for everybody to voice their opinions on this vital issue. We urge everyone to participate in this vital conversation”, he added.
The public hearing will be held jointly by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements and its Committee on the Environment.
The Bill has garnered significant support from Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI), the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA), and the Wild Africa (WA) as well as others which have been actively supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, with support from the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund and the Pangolin Crisis Fund.
