The House of Representatives on Tuesday tasked relevant government agencies on the need to ensure effective management of the wildlife sector as part of efforts geared toward improving the country’s abounding tourism potentials.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion titled: “Call to Save Wildlife and Plant Species to improve conservation and tourism potentials as the World marks ‘the World Wildlife Day”, sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
In her lead debate, Hon. Onyejeocha observed that the ‘Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Cap. E9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004’ which provided for the conservation and management of Nigeria’s wildlife and the protection of some of her endangered species that are facing the threat of extinction as a result of over-exploitation, as required under certain international treaties for which Nigeria is signatory to.
“The House also notes that the National Parks Service Act establishes the National Park Service to be responsible for the preservation, enhancement and protection of wild animals and plants and other vegetation in national parks.
“The House is aware that protected areas (national parks, games reserves, forest reserves, biosphere reserves, game sanctuaries and strict nature reserves) were established in different locations with vast expanse of forest land, hills, rivers and seas, where animals (wildlife), plant species in their natural habitats are conserved and regulated, for special scientific, educative and recreational benefits.
“The House is also aware that the poor and deplorable state of protected areas require urgent attention considering the number of national parks, game reserves, forest reserves, biosphere reserves, game sanctuaries and strict nature reserves across the country and the huge government investments in the areas of staff unemployment and other auxiliary services.
“The House is further aware that there has been large scale destruction and mismanagement of the ecosystem in Nigeria and ecological disasters and climate change have resulted in acute loss of soil fertility and countless species of fauna and flora have gone into extinction, meaning that dozens of species are going extinct every single day.
“The House is worried that the world wild flora and fauna are endangered due to human activities, which include, loss of habitat, industrialized farming, commercial development and overgrazing with protected areas becoming hideouts for bandits, kidnappers, insurgents and other criminals.
“The House is also worried that wildlife destruction, loss of habitat and denudation are on the increase as a result of human activities such that large mammals, aquatic life and plant species are going into extinction due to lack of capacity, poaching, trafficking in animal hides, tusks, technical know-how and other bureaucratic bottlenecks to manage the sector.
“The House is cognizant that preservation of our ecosystem and effective management of the sector will attract tourism, which will in turn, generate huge revenues for Nigeria, if properly strengthened and funded.
“The House is also cognizant that World Wildlife Day is celebrated on March 3 every year and the day was set aside to draw attention to the urgent need to save the endangered species and this year’s (2020) theme is tagged: “Sustaining all Life on Earth which is a clarion call on government agencies, scientists and all stakeholders to mobilize action to save the ecosystem,” she observed.
Following the overwhelming support enjoyed by the motion, the House tasked Federal Ministry of Environment and its Agencies to conduct an assessment of protected areas across the country for strengthening and proper funding.
The House also urged Federal Ministry of Environment to prepare short and long term action plans to improve the sector and forward same to the House for consideration.
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Environment to ensure implementation.
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