REMARKS BY RT. HON, TAJUDEEN ABBAS PHD, GCON, SPEAKER, FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT THE ONE-DAY PUBLIC HEARING ON ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION BILL ORGANIZED BY THE COMMITTEE ON TREATIES, PROTOCOLS & AGREEMENTS HELD AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX ON THE 24TH OF OCTOBER, 2024
Protocols:
It is with a sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to this One-Day Public Hearing on the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill. This gathering underscores our collective commitment to safeguarding the rich biodiversity that Nigeria is blessed with, and to ensure the future of our precious fiora and fauna.
- Nigeria boasts a remarkable array of wildlife, from the majestic African elephant, Calabar Gorilla, the vibrant Nigerian grey parrot and the magnificent West African manatee. These creatures are not just captivating inhabitants of our forests, savannahs, and waterways, they are integral to the delicate balance of our environment. Their presence plays a vital role in maintaining ecological stability, supporting healthy ecosystems, and providing vital resources for our communities.
- Nigeria is also home to seven of the eleven species of vulture in Africa, many of which are now endangered or vulnerable. The rate at which species across Nigeria are facing extinction is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a decisive legislative action to halt this negative trend.
- We have become the world’s most significant transit point for illegal ivory and pangolin scales smuggled from Africa to Asia. Between 2016 and 2019, more than half of pangolin scales seized globally came from Nigeria. In January 2019, Hong Kong Customs seized $8 million worth of elephant tusks and pangolin scales from a shipping container from Nigeria.
- Conservationists estimate that Nigeria has less than 500 elephants, 100 Cross River gorillas and about 50 lions left. Pangolins are endangered or on the brink of extinction. At the same time, other species are in decline, including crocodiles and antelope species such as cane rats and duikers, which are widely available in ‘bush meat’ markets across the country. This decline is due to habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and Climate change which adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by these already vulnerable species.
- The loss of biodiversity weakens our ecosystem resilience, making it more susceptible to environmental disturbances. The disruption of ecological balance can lead to the decline of other species, impacting food security and potentially triggering unforeseen consequences for human health.
- Interestingly, while taking actions to protect our environment, we open up great opportunity of turning our wildlife and environment into economic use. Ecotourism, which relies on healthy ecosystems and vibrant wildlife populations, can be a powerful driver of economic growth. Our investment in this sector will, in turn, create jobs, generate revenue, and promote sustainable development that will benefit local communities and the country at large. This will help diversify our national economy and ease the pressure on the oil sector.
- Honourable Members, Ladies and gentlemen, Nigeria has also committed to regulating wildlife trade, conserving migratory species, and protecting ecosystems through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which makes this public hearing on this bill even more crucial.
- This Bill, therefore, is not merely a legislative exercise; it is a critical step towards fulfilling our moral obligation to protect the environment and preserve the legacy of these invaluable species for future generations. It seeks to establish a robust legal framework that will address the multifaceted challenges threatening our endangered animals and plants such as illegal wildlife trade by imposing stringent penalties on those involved in the trafficking of endangered species, promote sustainable wildlife management through the establishment of conservation areas and the implementation of community-based conservation initiatives. amongst others.
10 We therefore encourage you to share your insights, experiences, and recommendations, whether they are in support of the Bill, or proposing amendments that can further enhance its effectiveness. The input received today will be invaluable in shaping the final form of the Bill and ensuring that it reflects the needs and aspirations of all Nigerians. We believe that through collective efforts and a strong commitment to conservation, we can secure a future where our endangered species thrive and where our environment remains healthy and vibrant.
- I hereby declare this public hearing open.
- Thank you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
