Environment
National Park Moves To Curb Deforestation
The Conservator-General, National Park Service Alhaji Ibrahim Goni says the service is audaciously working with the local communities around the parks to help curb deforestation and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Goni disclosed this in an interview with TheTide Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the benefits of community-based involvement over a long time would lead to greater conservation, reduce poverty, increase economic productivity and the protection of many forest species.
“If we are to confront the challenges of mitigating and adapting to climate change while meeting the demands of a rapidly-growing global population; it is vital that we find the balance between conserving and regenerating forest areas with economic growth for poverty reduction.” Goni said that the service had a programme called `Support Zone Development Programme’ aimed at supporting the communities surrounding the National Parks.
“The people of the communities sometimes assist the service in the protection of the biodiversity and in most cases we get information about loggers, herdsmen and fishers from them.
“So we created this package to look at the schools, clinic and roads established for them in that areas to see how we can assist them improve their living standards.
“We have sponsored a few from these communities to become nurses, because sometimes when the government posts some medical personnel to those remote areas they don’t go.
“So in order to make the clinic functional we took it upon ourselves to train some of their indigenes who will be resident there to attend to them.
“We are also looking at sustainable conservation through sustainable farming to see how we can improve their farming skills so that a small area of land can yield much more for the farmer.”
Goni reiterated that the prevention of deforestation and preservation of biodiversity should be the responsibility of everyone.
“Governments at all levels and indeed the general public should be encouraged to create awareness on the need to stop the destruction of biodiversity in Nigeria.
“Working with the local communities to conserve nature will address threats such as forest deforestation, wildlife poaching, wildfires and environmental degradation in the country.
“The best community conservation practices will offer powerful insights that could help save wildlife and inform the process of forming new conservation in Nigeria.
“This therefore calls for increased community involvement in wildlife conservation and secure livelihoods.”
According to him, forest resources contribute to the natural environment on which food production depends and absorb around 15 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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