Abuja: Rep. Terseer Ugbor, the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, has commended the passage of the Nigeria Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, describing it as a landmark legislation. Ugbor spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in commemoration of the World Environment Day (WED).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the lawmaker expressed satisfaction over the successful passage of the bill which had completed its third and final reading in the House of Representatives. He mentioned that the bill would be sent to the Senate for concurrence. Ugbor highlighted that the legislation would 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.
Ugbor, who represents the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue and is the sponsor of the bill, remarked that once the President assents to it, the legislation would address deficiencies in tracking illicit financial flows. He noted that the bill would enforce stricter laws along Nigeria’s borders, bolstering efforts to combat illegal activities. The bill is considered pivotal in combating illegal wildlife trade and safeguarding Nigeria’s iconic wildlife populations.
He further stated that the bill sends a clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate the exploitation of its borders for trafficking illegal wildlife products, such as pangolin scales and elephant tusks. By modernizing the laws, the aim is to ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from the country’s rich biodiversity, both ecologically and economically.
Ugbor also mentioned that coordinated security operations in the open border regions from the southeastern area to the Middle Belt, a major nexus for transit, would mitigate the influx of unidentified and illegal immigrants, helping to curb insecurity in the country. He reiterated that the bill would be presented to the Senate for concurrence and then forwarded to the President for final endorsement.
Additionally, Ugbor mentioned that there is an ongoing effort in the House of Representatives to repeal and reenact the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act. The new bill aims to include the social and health impacts of both public and private sector projects, and he assured a timely passage of this bill as well.
