By Ngozi Nwankwo
As Nigeria joins its counterpart to mark 2025 World Environment Day, WED, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, has expressed satisfaction over the successful passage of the Nigeria Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which has completed its third and final reading in the House of Representatives.
The theme for 2025 World Environment Day “Beat Plastic Pollution.” aims to raise global awareness about the harmful impacts of plastic waste on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
Commending the effort of Nigerian government in addressing environmental challenges, the member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, who is the sponsor of the bill, expressed that once assented to by the President, the legislation will address the deficiencies in tracking illicit financial flows and enforce more stringent laws along Nigeria’s borders, bolstering efforts to combat illegal activities.
“This landmark legislation will enhance Nigeria’s capacity to address wildlife trafficking, empower judges to expedite the adjudication of wildlife crime cases, and impose more stringent penalties on offenders,” said Ugbor.
He emphasised that the bill is pivotal in combating the illegal wildlife trade and safeguarding Nigeria’s iconic wildlife populations.
“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.”
Furthermore, he stated that 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.
The bill will be presented to the Senate for concurrence and forwarded to the President for final endorsement.
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.