Federal Govt Committed To Forests Preservation, Says Minister

Minister of environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal has said that the National Forestry Trust Fund was established to address inadequacy of funds in forestry management.

The minister, who made this known at the 19th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19), said that the fund has supported afforestation and reforestation programmes across the country in the last two years.

Balarabe disclosed that the federal government has taken  proactive steps  to accelerate, facilitate and deepen various afforestation initiatives.

According to the minister, the initiatives are part of the   strategic national development roadmap under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said Nigeria has designated ten new  national parks in addition to the seven  previous ones, ‘’with the ambition to halt human-induced extinction of wild species, forest loss and degradation, securing species recovery and restoration of jeopardized ecosystems.’’

“Moving forward as part of our Nature Based solution to biodiversity loss, climate change and food insecurity, Nigeria is making a giant step to explore new opportunities that could preserve and protect remaining forest through the enormous potential of bamboo and rattan development.

‘’Bamboo is a lifeline with high sequestration ability, land restoration, and has the potential for economic growth and is a good alternative to the use of plastics and trees.

‘’Additionally, Nigeria is committed to regional and sub regional cooperation to manage trans-boundary ecosystems, conserve natural resources and combat illegal forest crime,’’ he added.

The minister noted that the federal government will ‘’empower communities and increase focus on awareness creation, public advocacy on sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, Pollution and plastic waste management.’’