Representatives: Endangered Species Protection Bill Passes First Reading

A bill to conserve and protect highly endangered species from extinction and trafficking passed first reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The bill, which was prepared by the Nigerian Ministry of Environment and jointly sponsored by Johnson Oghuma and Sam Onuigbo, seeks to establish a legal framework that would bring Nigeria into compliance with international conventions on endangered species, the organized crime and corruption.

It also aims to expand investigative powers to include financial investigations and intelligence-led operations.

The bill, if passed, will, among other things, create offenses for harming the critical habitats of endangered species.

According to the sponsors of the bill, it would also provide for increased sentences to reflect the seriousness of the crimes and their impact on endangered species, expand the courts' ability to expedite wildlife cases and recover assets, create corporate responsibility and support the international community. cooperation.

Mr. Oghuma, chairman of the house committee on the environment, said: "The rate at which certain species of flora and fauna are becoming extinct takes on a frightening dimension. Every day more and more species are threatened and pushed on the brink of extinction."

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"Just as humans have the right to life, so do plants and animals," Oghuma said.

“We [Nigeria] must therefore do everything in our power to ensure their continued existence. It is time to act to stop environmental degradation and protect our wildlife and plants globally. and Nigeria cannot afford to be the last.”

Over the past decade, Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI), the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the Wild Africa Fund have actively supported the Nigerian government's efforts to combat illegal trafficking wild species.

This is possible thanks to the support of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund of the United Kingdom and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the United States.

Commenting on the bill, ANI Executive Director Tunde Morakinyo described the bill as a “momentous thing” for Nigeria, adding that the whole world is watching.

He said, "Let's get it right and show the world how we can be the leaders in Africa in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade."

“We salute the politicians for giving their attention so close to the elections. They know how important it is for Nigeria,” Morakinyo added.

Similarly, EIA Executive Director Mary Rice said, "This comprehensive legislation is state-of-the-art and could be a game-changer."

“Working alongside our partners, EIA sees this as a key step in combating the trafficking and protection of critically endangered wildlife species in Nigeria and across Africa. it can be quickly adopted to deal with the current crisis,” she noted.

For his part, the CEO of the Wild Africa Fund, Peter Knights, said Nigeria has become the epicenter of the illegal trade in ivory and pangolin scales.

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