FG committed to forest preservation and management – Minister

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The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has said the National Forestry Trust Fund was established to address the financial constraints within forestry management.

Speaking at the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19), he highlighted the fund’s significant contributions to afforestation and reforestation programs nationwide over the past two years.

The minister underscored the proactive measures undertaken by the federal government to expedite and enhance afforestation endeavors, aligning with the overarching objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, a strategic blueprint for national development.

He said Nigeria has designated 10 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 jeopardised ecosystems.

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“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.

Malam Balarabe also said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration intends to promote increased public and private investments in forestry as one of the systematic approaches to increasing the nation’s cover and contributing to Target 1 of the Global Forest Goals.

The minister commended the efforts of international donors like the  German government and USAID,  for their innovative support in protecting Nigeria’s ecosystems and joining efforts in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade of endangered species.

He reaffirmed  Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) 2017 – 2030 and the Quadrennial Programme of Work for the period 2021 – 2024 as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

The Nigerian delegation at the UNFF19 Conference included Professor Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.