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Environment Minister Says Outdated Laws, Legislation Challenge Of Sustainable Forest

Published

7 months ago

April 16, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as Reps hold policy dialogue on Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill

By Gloria Ikibah

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Musa, has said that outdated laws and legislations remain one of the challenges confronting sustainable forest and biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.

The Minister who was represented by the Deputy Director Forestry, Rasak Kolawole

also called on the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which according to him will help address the effects of wildlife trafficking in the country.

The Minister stated this at a policy dialogue organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Environment to review the “Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill 2024, on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, this Bill when passed into law, will help accelerate progress in the fight against wildlife and forest crime and subsequently catalyse the protection and conservation of our iconic species most importantly, the endangered species.

He said: “The challenges facing our environment and wildlife are substantial, ranging from habitat loss to poaching and illegal trafficking. The anticipated passage of this bill is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative to protect and preserve the rich tapestry of life that sustains us all.

“Pursuant to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, strengthening of the policy, legal and institutional framework is pivotal to our national approach to tackling biodiversity loss, environmental challenges, and climate change. Increasing population coupled with transboundary crime particularly wildlife and forestry crime has continued to mount pressure on the natural resources.

“Although, Nigeria is being dubbed as a transit point for wildlife trafficking, we are not losing sight of such crime being perpetrated domestically. The various subsisting laws and legislation have proven to be inadequate in addressing this problem and this explains why we are here today to subject the draft Bill on the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection 2024 to policy dialogue, thereby giving opportunity for stakeholders to contribute and make the document impeccable as much as possible”.

In his welcome address Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Terser Ugbor, lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) said that Nigeria is currently known as a major global trafficking hub for wild lives in recent years.

He also decried the illegal activities of poachers and smugglers in Nigeria, and added that as illegal activities like poaching and smuggling are a major sabotage to our economy and called for action to stop the trend.

Ugbor further stated that the activities of poachers portend grave dangers to the nation’s economy, adding that biodiversity is particularly threatened by the actions of those he called wildlife criminals.

He said: “Wildlife crime also fosters corruption, facilitates insecurity and presents opportunities for the spread of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19.

“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 swiftly and work to reverse this negative status and threat to our beautiful country and the world.

“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.”

Rep. Ugbor said that the proposed law 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”, he added.

He therefore stressed on the need to ensure that Nigeria’s biodiversity is supported by strong and comprehensive endangered species legislation.

“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.”

He 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.

Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Oliver Stolpe called for a review of Nigerian legislations to provide for stiffer penalties for those involved in trafficking in endangered species, adding that the current legal framework does not meet the threshold of the serious crime definition in the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

He said pending the adoption of the Bill, Nigerian law enforcement authorities cannot fully activate the provisions of the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crimes (UNTOC) and cooperate effectively with their counterparts in countries of origin, transit and destination.

He said “the weaknesses of the current legal framework are exemplified in the minimal sentences handed down to wildlife crime perpetrators who have been prosecuted and convicted in the past year and a half, thanks in part to the assiduousness of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“The low penalties in the current legal framework are such that they can be discouraging to the dedicated intelligence led investigations and prosecutions that have made these convictions possible. It is therefore an important milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat wildlife and forest crime that we are gathered at this policy dialogue to review the Endangered Species”.

He stressed that the provisions of the Bill align with UNODC’s Guide on Drafting Legislation to Combat Wildlife Crime, saying “UNODC is particularly pleased to see the Increased penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment depending on the type of offence meeting now the threshold of the “serious offences” definition in the UNTOC; clear definition of individual offences and a comprehensive list of different types of wildlife crime and prohibitions on hunting, possession and trade of scheduled species”.

He said the National Assembly should review the approach taken to establishing criminal liability for attempt in relation to the provisions of the Bill, with a view to ensuring a comprehensive and consistent approach to establishing liability while also including provisions in the law that will allow the Nigerian agencies collaborate with their international partners and other countries in combating trafficking in endangered species.

News

NUJ-FCT Elections: Comrade Ike To Flag-Off Campaign With Free Medical Checks, Treatment

Published

25 minutes ago

November 23, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Ahead of theDecember 4, 2024 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council (FCT) election, Comrade Grace Ike, will flag-off her campaign for the position of Chairman with free eye check for journalists on Sunday, November 24, 2024, by 12 noon.

The exercise, under the auspices of the Grace Ike Campaign Council (GICC), which will be held at the NUJ FCT Council Secretariat, Utako, Abuja, is expected to attract interested journalists and her teeming supporters across all chapels.

According to Comrade Ike, the reason behind the free eye checks for journalists is based on the critical role their eyes play in their daily tasks as watchdogs and also being a critical organ of the body, there is the need to be attended to and checked by qualified ophthalmologists to boost their productivity.

During the flag-off, the Ike will unveil her campaign management team and itinerary in line with the NUJ FCT Council Election timetable.

The campaign will be anchored on the slogan, “One Voice, New Era” and focused on Accountability, Transparency, Accelerated Development, Capacity Building, New Innovation/Creativity, Improved Welfare & All-round Empowerment for members.

Naijablittznews.com reports Comrade Ike was yesterday cleared by the Credentials Committee and declared elected by the NUJ National as the only candidate for the position of Chairman in the December 4, NUJ-FCT election.

News

President Tinubu Leaves Brazil After G20 Summit

Published

3 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

President Bola Tinubu has departed Galeao Air force Basa (SBGL) Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, for Abuja after attending the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The President is due to arrive at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.00 p.m. (Nigerian time).

President Tinubu had attended the G20 Leaders summit where he endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which he said was pivotal.

The President also held bilateral talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who commended his administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.

He also presided over the signing of a 2.5 billion dollar Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and the JBS S.A., a Brazilian company and one of the top three largest meat processing companies in the World.

The president was accompanied in the trip by senior government officials including the minister of foreign affairs yusuf Tuggar, the national security adviser, Nuhu RIBADU and many others.

News

HoR to lead historic march, other Key initiatives against gender-based violence

Published

3 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

In commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the House of Representatives will lead a landmark march on Monday, November 25, 2024, along with other strategic activities as part of its unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement issued by the HoR spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, Jr on Saturday.

According to him the march, which starts at 8:00 AM, will bring together over 1,000 participants – including Representatives and members of the public – on a symbolic walk from the National Assembly to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.

This demonstration of solidarity will culminate in the submission of a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding decisive action to safeguard vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for perpetrators of GBV.

“This march and the associated activities are not just symbolic gestures, they reflect our resolve and call to action against gender-based violence head-on,” said Hon. Abbas Tajudeen,, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“We stand united in the fight to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable. Together, through collective action and legislative reforms, we can build a society where safety, justice, and equality prevail.”

Beyond the march, the 10th House of Representatives in alignment with its Legislative Agenda (2023 – 2027) has outlined *key activities to sustain awareness and action throughout the 16 Days of Activism:*

1. *Sash Demonstration Ceremony* – Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Members of the House will don orange sashes, symbolising solidarity with the fight against GBV, during plenary sessions throughout the campaign period.

2. *Convergence of State Assembly Speakers* – Monday, December 9, 2024
A strategic meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will bring together Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to discuss legislative strategies for combating GBV nationwide.

3. *National Citizens’ Summit and GBV Conference 2024 -* Tuesday, December 10, 2024
This summit will conclude the 16 Days of Activism with discussions on constitutional reforms and securing endorsements for gender equality initiatives championed by the House.

The House of Representatives invites all Nigerians to *participate in this historic march on Monday, November 25, 2024.* Participants will receive orange T-shirts—the official colour of the United Nations campaign to end violence against women—symbolising hope for a future free of violence.

*Details of the March:*

• *Date:* Monday, November 25, 2024
• *Time:* 8:00 AM
• *Starting Point:* Speaker’s Car Park, National Assembly
• *End Point:* Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters

Gender-based violence continues to devastate families and communities across Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives however, remains steadfast in driving systemic reforms, fostering collaboration, and championing accountability to address this pervasive issue.

Together, let us take a decisive stand for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights, paving the way for a safer, more equitable Nigeria.