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UK, FAO collaborate to safeguard Cross River mangrove ecosystem

Concerned about the communities in the mangrove ecosystem in Cross River State who depend on it for fisheries and other means of survival, the United Kingdom PACT (UK-PACT) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have embarked on a project to protect the mangrove ecosystem from pollution and deforestation.

The project “Integrated management of mangrove ecosystems and expansion of social protection for fisheries and forest dependents in the coastal communities of Cross Rivers State, Nigeria” is funded by the UK-PACT and implemented by FAO.

Martine Sobey, Climate Change and Nature Team Lead for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), British High Commission, Abuja, said they have been supporting the programme for the past six months, working with communities, the Cross Rivers State Government, and local government authorities as well.

Speaking on what they hope to achieve, Sobey said mangroves in Nigeria are critical habitat and biodiversity; they also provide an important livelihood for forest-dependent communities.

“So, for us, it is about protecting the loss of mangroves from pollution over-harvesting for a few kinds of wood, helping communities that depend on those mangroves for fish and their livelihoods, and finding a sustainable way for communities to live and protect mangroves in the long term.

“We hope that at the end of today, all the stakeholders in the room, from the National Council on Climate Change to the Ministry of Environment, will understand the exciting work that is happening on the ground in Cross River State, how we are delivering it, how we are working with our partner FAO, and how we are working with communities to train them so that they can replicate that in other areas of the country where we also have mangrove ecosystems,” she noted.

The Country Representative of the FAO to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Koffy Kouacou Dominique, said the project holds the promise of a significant positive impact on the lives of the coastal communities in Calabar, Cross River State.

Dominique further stated that the mangrove ecosystem in the coastal areas of Cross River State is not only a vital natural resource but also a critical component of the livelihoods of the local communities.

“The delicate balance between conservation and sustainable use of this ecosystem is a pressing concern, especially given the increasing threats from deforestation, firewood, and timber collection, as well as the misuse of pesticides and other agro-chemicals that led to pollution.

“Furthermore, the communities’ reliance on the fisheries and forest resources underscores the need for holistic and integrated mangrove management approaches to ensure the well-being of both the environment and the local population.

“The outcome of this project will not only be reflective of the collaborative efforts of the UK Government, FAO, and its partners but also a testament to the collective commitment to preserving this critical natural resource that contributes immensely to our existence and improving the lives of the communities that depend on it,” he added.

Also, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Salisu Dahiru, said Nigeria has made significant progress since its signing and ratification of the Paris Agreement as well as the declaration of its net zero commitment at COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland.

He said the UK-PACT and FAO projects align with one of the major mitigation options of the updated Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and also sustainable development goals, contribute to climate adaptation, and foster community well-being.

“This furthers institutional strengthening by deepening research, adaptive management practices, and collaboration among stakeholders.

“Nature-based solutions are a critical component of Nigeria’s NDC and Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy Document launched last year at COP28 in Dubai, which will drive Nigeria towards Net Zero by 2060.

“And foster a low-carbon, climate-resilient, high-growth circular economy that reduces its current level of emissions by 50%, moving towards having net-zero emissions across all sectors of its development in a gender-responsive manner by 2050,” he added.

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