The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas, has called upon the National Assembly to swiftly consider and pass the endangered species bill, aiming to address the detrimental effects of wildlife trafficking in Nigeria. Speaking at a policy meeting in Abuja, represented by the Deputy Director, Forestry, Rasak Kolawole, the minister emphasized the significance of updating laws to ensure sustainable forest and biodiversity conservation.
Abbas highlighted the challenges posed by outdated legislation, stressing the need for a robust legal framework to combat habitat loss, poaching, and illegal trafficking. He underscored the importance of collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in tackling environmental issues. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, strengthening policy, legal, and institutional frameworks is deemed crucial to addressing biodiversity loss and climate change amidst increasing population pressures and transboundary crimes.
Ugbor, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, expressed concern over Nigeria’s reputation as a global hub for wildlife trafficking. Motivated by this concern, he sponsored the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024. He emphasized the necessity of swift action to reverse Nigeria’s negative status and enhance its international image through robust conservation efforts.
The proposed legislation aims to provide a consistent and strong legal framework to combat wildlife trafficking, incorporating recommendations from various stakeholders. Ugbor acknowledged the contributions of organizations such as the Environmental Investigation Agency, Africa Nature Investors Foundation, and Wild Africa Fund, as well as the support from international entities like the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund and the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
Representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted deficiencies in the current legal framework, particularly in terms of inadequate penalties for wildlife crimes. They emphasized the need for amendments to align with international standards, including provisions of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The UNODC submitted a comprehensive paper outlining observations and recommendations to strengthen the bill, urging the National Assembly to take necessary actions.
