FG seeks digital solutions to address wildlife, ecosystem challenges

The Federal Government has called on stakeholders to recognise the critical importance of leveraging digital solutions to address myriad challenges facing the planet’s ecosystems particularly combating illegal wildlife trade, mitigating habitat loss, and tackling the impacts of climate change among others.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal in his keynote address at the World Wildlife Day Celebration on Tuesday in Abuja, also explained that digital conservation transcends geographical boundaries, fostering global collaboration and knowledge sharing among scientists, conservationists, and communities worldwide.

“By harnessing the collective power of technology, we can unite in our efforts to safeguard biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

“By leveraging innovative solutions, we not only amplify our capacity to protect endangered species but also foster greater connectivity between people and the planet they call home.

“Let us reaffirm our commitments as we reflect on the significance of World Wildlife Day, to harness the transformative potential of digital innovation in conservation.

“Together, let us strive to bridge the gap between humanity and nature, recognizing that our fate is intricately intertwined with the well-being of the natural world.

“As we embrace the promise of digital conservation, we must also remain mindful of its limitations and potential risks. We must ensure that technological interventions are ethically sound, culturally sensitive, and inclusive of diverse perspectives.

“Furthermore, we must prioritize the protection of digital ecosystems themselves, guarding against cyber threats and safeguarding data integrity.”

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He further said the Federal Ministry of Environment has been at the forefront in ensuring the protection and conservation of national rich biodiversity of wild fauna and flora through the following activities

“Full protection of listed endangered species through the ESA Act and National Park Service Act through protection, awareness creation and press releases against Wildlife killings.

“Establishment of Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force (WLETF). Quarterly meetings among critical stakeholders in combatting illegal wildlife trade.

“Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) through CITES to establish an electronic permitting system.

“Collaboration with frontline organizations in combatting illegal wildlife trade e.g Customs, EFCC, INTERPOL, ICPC, NFIU etc.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Nigeria Country Representative, Oliver Stolpe, while presenting the findings and recommendations of the ICCWC Toolkit Report for Nigeria said the assessment found that Nigeria is a key transit hub and consolidation point for various forms of illegal trade in wildlife and forest products, especially for pangolin, ivory and rosewood.

Stolpe further explained that these products are sourced both from Nigeria as well as from other countries in the region including Cameroon, Gabon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire and Benin Republic.

“According to UNODC’s World Wildlife Seizures Database, there are more than 1000 records between 2011 and 2020 which indicate Nigeria as a source, transit or destination country, or where the offender was a Nigerian national.

“While thanks to the good work of the Nigeria Customs Service, seizures at Nigeria’s land, sea and airport border points have been on the rise, two-thirds of all seizures involving Nigeria were reported by the authorities of other countries.

“This suggests that interception capabilities still need to be strengthened, while enhanced information exchange and cooperation with relevant authorities in countries of origin, transit and destination offer opportunities for intelligence-led operations and parallel or even joint investigations with the objective of detecting and dismantling trafficking networks.

“The Nigeria Organized Crime Threat Assessment also provides other interesting insights into the illegal wildlife trade. For instance, the research found that increased enforcement activities at the Apapa Port may be responsible for traffickers now increasingly using other Nigerian ports.

“The report further identifies border towns like Gaya in Niger, located close to the borders of both Nigeria and the Benin Republic, as a strategic site where wildlife products like elephant ivory and pangolin scales are kept prior to their import into Nigeria.

“Traffickers take advantage of festive and harvest seasons to move these illegal wildlife products, as authorities are less likely to search trucks during these high-volume periods when large quantities of animals and foodstuffs need to reach their destinations quickly,” he added.