By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
As the world celebrates this year’s world environment day(WED) today, the Deputy Chairman Committee on Environment, Hon. Terseer Ugbor said this year”s celebration comes with a huge successful due to passage of Nigeria endangered species conservation and protection bill.
He said the passage has completed its third and final reading in the House of Representatives.
The member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, who is the sponsor of the bill, said once assented to by the President.
He said the legislation will address the deficiencies in tracking ilicit financial flows and enforce more stringent laws along Nigeria’s borders, bolstering efforts to combat illegal activities.
He emphasized that “This landmark legislation will enhance Nigeria’s capacity to address wildlife trafficking and bill is pivotal in combating the illegal wildlife trade and safeguarding Nigeria’s iconic wildlife populations.
“ This will empower judges to expedite adjudication of wildlife crime cases, and impose more stringent penalties on offenders”, he said .
He noted that “the bill conveys an unambiguously clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate the exploitation of its borders for the trafficking of illegal wildlife products, such as pangolin scales and elephant tusks.
“By modernizing our laws, we aspire to ensure that future generations can continue to reap the ecological and economic benefits of our rich biodiversity.”
He further stated that “ There must be a coordinated security operations in the open border regions spanning from the southeastern area of the country to the Middle Belt which is a major nexus for transit, will mitigate the influx of unidentified and illegal immigrants, contributing to the reduction of insecurity in the country”.
Hon. Ugbor also stated that the bill to repeal and reenact the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act to include the social and health impacts of both public and private sector projects was also underway in the House of Representatives and assured of its timely passage.
Meanwhile, he disclosed that the bill will be presented to the Senate for concurrence and forwarded to the President for final endorsement.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
