Reps Advance Wildlife Protection Bill To Combat Trafficking And Habitat Destruction

In a significant legislative move, the Nigerian House of Representatives passed the second reading of a critical bill aimed at curbing wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction during Thursday’s plenary session……..CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Hon. Terseer Ugbor, representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, sponsored the bill, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative action against the escalating illegal wildlife trade. As the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Ugbor underscored the dire situation, highlighting the dangerous dimensions that wildlife trafficking has reached and the necessity for a robust legislative framework to address it.

Ugbor called on his colleagues in the 10th National Assembly to tackle pressing environmental challenges, including the illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and the drastic decline in Nigeria’s unique wildlife populations. He advocated for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s wildlife legal framework to effectively combat poachers and traffickers.

“The bill aims to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, empower investigators with more authority to scrutinize financial matters, and conduct intelligence-guided operations. It also seeks to expedite wildlife cases in the judiciary and facilitate asset recovery,” Ugbor explained.

He added that the bill aligns with international treaties, fosters global cooperation, and introduces stringent penalties for offenders. “Today, we take a bold stand against all illegal activities targeting our wildlife and forests. By protecting our wildlife, we protect our own future. This bill signifies our collective commitment to combat the trafficking of illegal wildlife products such as pangolin scales and elephant ivory.”

Ugbor noted that inadequate public awareness, weak legislation, and minimal enforcement have historically hindered efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and biodiversity loss in Nigeria. He pointed to the massive decline in the country’s wildlife, with species like lions, elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees facing the brink of extinction.

After contributions from various members supporting the bill, asserting that protecting endangered species aligns with international treaties, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, moved the bill forward for a second reading following a vote.

The bill has now been referred to the House Committee on Environment, with a directive to submit their report within two weeks, marking a pivotal step in Nigeria’s legislative efforts to safeguard its natural heritage.