The public hearing for the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024 has been scheduled to be held in the House of Representatives on October 24.
Championed by Honourable Terseer Ugbor, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, the Bill tackles pressing challenges such as illegal wildlife trade, conservation of species, and the decline of Nigeria’s precious wildlife and their habitats.
The Bill seeks to improve the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, give investigators more powers to look into financial matters and conduct operations guided by intelligence and enable judges to speed up wildlife cases and recover assets.
Additionally, it aligns with international treaties, encourages global cooperation and introduces stricter penalties for poachers and traffickers.
“Protecting our wildlife means protecting livelihoods and ensuring a balanced ecosystem and we can’t allow wildlife trafficking continue to threaten our natural heritage,” said Hon Ugbor. “This hearing will provide a platform for everybody to voice their opinions on this vital issue. We urge everyone to participate in this vital conversation.”
The public hearing will be held jointly by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements and its Committee on the Environment.
The Bill has garnered significant support from local and international organisations including Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI), the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA), and Wild Africa (WA) which have been actively supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, with support from the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund and the Pangolin Crisis Fund.
Nigeria is a signatory member to international conventions on endangered species, organised crime and corruption including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the United Nations ConventAgainst Corruption (UNCAC).
