Expert Decry 3.5% Annual Deforestation In Nigeria

As climate change wreaks havoc across the 36 States and FCT, an expert has raised the alarm over continued depletion of forests through illegal tree logging. The Publisher and Editor-in-chief of Development Agenda Magazine, Mr Paddy Ezeala, said this at a one-day seminar organised by Development Agenda in collaboration with Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria recently in Abuja. The seminar had as its theme: “Climate Change and COP28: The Way Forward For Nigeria.” He estimated that 1.5 million trees are felled daily through illegal logging, thereby leading to 3.5 percent deforestation annually. Ezeala stated that the establishment of a foreign privately-owned charcoal producing factory in Nsukka, Enugu state worsened the destruction caused by the foreigners, adding that the adjoining states were affected by the massive logging.  The publisher lamented that Nigeria is experiencing four percent forest loss annually, which is about the highest globally, as people continue to cut down trees in Cross Rivers, Ondo, Ogun, as well as in some North Central States. Ezeala hinted that between 1981 and 2000, Nigeria lost 3.7 million hectares of forests which implied colossal loss of biodiversity.  The forest cover had depleted to less than 10 percent as against the mandate of the Food and Agricultural Organizations’ (FAO) that each state is expected to keep its forest cover to a minimum of 25 percent of its land area. While about 484 plant species are threatened with extinction, the publisher lamented the absence of measures aimed at encouraging forest regeneration “Related to this is the absence of a valuation system to place a value on forest resources so that when forests are destroyed through individual or corporate negligence, adequate compensation will be paid,” he said.  He stated that there is a need to develop more environmentally and socially equitable approaches to forest management in Nigeria, noting that the wanton destruction of forests across the country must be checked. Ezeala added: “Forests perform a broad range of critical environmental and climatic functions, including the maintenance of constant supply of water. Forests harbour species and at the same time have very deep economic, aesthetic, industrial and religious significance for humans.  “However, economic development pressures often lead to the conversion of forest ecosystems without consideration for both the long-term economic costs and the implications of the immediate loss of biodiversity, ecosystem structure and function.”  The publisher maintained that Nigeria’s remaining rainforests harbour about 4000 different species of plants, including those effective in the development of alternative medicine.  Ezela harped on the need to priortise tree planting and secure protected areas, noting that the National Park Service and others managing the protected areas should be supported.  The Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril hinted that the rising sea level at the coastal areas, climate change, deforestation, drought and desertification are some of the environmental challenges affecting Nigeria.  He said though charcoal has been banned that the government cannot stop households from cooking with charcoal without providing alternative means of fuel.  The Chairman of EMCAN, Mr Chuks Oyema said that the essence of the seminar was to showcase how Nigeria is tackling climate change and how the government is prepared for COP28.  He urged the media to publish more stories on climate change and embark on collective actions toward mitigating the impact of climate change on the environment.

Fintiri bans indiscriminate felling of trees in Adamawa

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has banned indiscriminate cutting of trees for charcoal production to avert deforestation in the state. Fintiri announced the ban when traditional rulers, members of the state House of Assembly and the Judiciary paid him Sallah homage in Yola on Thursday. According to him, indiscriminate cutting of trees act negative effect on the environment and increase rate of flooding, among other challenges. Fintiri urged the traditional rulers to relay the message to their respective communities in order to safeguard the environment. The governor, who noted that there was already a law in that regard but which had not been fully implemented, expressed the need for all stakeholders to take action to end the menace. He pledged his administration’s support to farmers, particularly with the supply of agricultural inputs to boost production, as a means of cushioning the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the people. Fintiri expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of some of the courts in the state, assuring of their rehabilitation. He also assured that his administration would ensure continued harmonious working relationship with the legislators for the development of the state. The governor expressed gratitude for the homage and love shown to him, pledging the independence of the legislature and the judiciary for the development of the state and the betterment of the citizenry. In their separate remarks, the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammad Mustapha, thanked Fintiri for his contributions to the development of the state. Lamido, who was represented by the Waziri of Adamawa and former Vice-President, , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, assured of the support, cooperation and prayers of all the emirates and chiefdoms toward rebuilding the state. The Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, thanked the governor for his commitment to reforming the judiciary from the beginning of his first tenure till date. Speaker of the House of Assembly, Bathia Wesley, congratulated Fintiri on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, assuring him of a cordial working relationship.