HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO PROPOSE STIFFER PENALITY FOR PERPETRATORS OF ILLEGAL TRAFFIC OF WILDLIFE 15-04-24
By Sadiq Aminu As part of efforts to address and combat wildlife and forest crime in Nigeria, the House of Representatives is proposing a law that will provide stiffer penalties for the perpetrators of illegal traffic of wildlife in Nigeria.
The Deputy Chairman House Committee on Environment, Mr. Terser Ugbor, disclosed this in Abuja at Policy Dialogue on the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024.
Mr. Ugbor, said addressing the issue of Illegal traffic of Wildlife requires multifaceted approach, stricter enforcement, community engagement, and international cooperation which will in turn play crucial role in combating it.
Mr. Terser Ugbor however added that the situation has emerged with unenviable status as a global hub for wildlife trafficking in recent years, hence the need to act swiftly in reversing its negative status.
In his Remarks, the country representative of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Oliver Stolpe who called for further review on the nation’s legislation to protect wildlife and forest, noted that the current legal framework is deficient as the penalties in the laws do not accord wildlife crime the seriousness that it deserves.
Mr. Oliver Stolpe, also suggested for ten years jail term for perpetrators of Wildlife and Forest Crimes as a way of addressing the menace of illegal trafficking of wildlife
In his submission, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe LAWAL who was represented by the deputy director department of forestry federal ministry of environment Mr. Razaq Adekola said outdated laws and legislations remains one of the challenges confronting sustainable forest and biodiversity conservation in the country.