CRSG Solicits FG Support To Preserve State’s Biodiversity Hotspots 

By Ebi COLLINS  

The Cross River State Government has solicited the support of the Federal Government in enhancing the environment sector of the State inorder for her to maintain her place as one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in Nigeria and continually manage its forest reserves.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi, made the appeal when he visited the Honorable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, in his office in Abuja.

Hon. Osogi said Cross River State is home to the last virgin rainforests in Nigeria with a National Park and rich biodiversity that hosts about Sixteen primate species chimpanzees, drills and (in Okwangwo) Cross River gorillas. 

The Commissioner therefore appealed to the Federal Government to pay special attention to the Cross River forests and compliment the Governor Bassey Otu’s administration’s commitment to protect and preserve the rich environment of the state. 

Hon. Osogi also advocated for the compensation of host communities of the rich forests as the non-compensation is gradually making these communities to exploit forests resources thereby endangering the biodiversity as most of them rely on the forests for survival.

He stressed that the lack of incentives for host communities of forest, in the area of flooding and erosion control, amongst others, are the challenges faced by the State, adding that the issue of the recurring flooding as a result of the opening of the Cameron Dam cannot be overemphasized.

Hon. Osogi decried the relegation of Cross River State despite its enormous contribution to ecological protection of Nigeria." We are giving so much, why is so much not coming to Cross River State," Hon. Osogi questioned.

Priding in the rich forest reserve of the State, the Commissioner for Environment stated that the rich forest reserves of Cross River State has in definite ways given credence to Nigeria in the international market.

He appealed to the Minister to provide intervention for the State, imploring the Minister to present the needs of the State to relevant Federal Agencies as well as International bodies for quick intervention measures.

Acknowledging the importance of capacity building in the Environment sector, Commissioner Osogi sued for the inclusion and full participation of Cross River State in the forth Coming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference ( UNFCCC COP 28) slated to hold from 30th November to 12th December 2023, admitting that the conference would avail him the opportunity to reboot the climate change agenda which has become a top priority in recent years.

Continuing, the Environment boss stated that the Governor Bassey Otu led administration is focused on 'the peoples' first' mandate which is borne out of the passion of the Governor in ensuring that every life in Cross River State is positively touched.

Commissioner Osogi who congratulated the Minister for his well deserved appointment informed that the visit was necessitated by the need to get acquainted with the Minister and present issues bothering on Cross River State Ministry of Environment to him.

In his response, the Hon. Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage. He commended the Commissioner for being proactive and expressed delight at the passion displayed towards remedying the environmental needs of his State.

Admitting that Cross River State has over the years played an important role in the Nation's Environment forest reserve which has inadvertently served unique purposes in wild life preservation and providing job opportunities, the Minister confirmed that flooding and erosion have poised challenges to the State and promised to present the issues raised by the Commissioner to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for immediate intervention. 

Promising to extend activities that would improve the livelihood of Cross Riverians to the State, Dr. Adekunle hinted that he would work with relevant stakeholders in ensuring that sustainable solutions to flooding issues and other Environmental nauisance are tackled in the State. 

He assured the Commissioner of his Ministry's partnership and cooperation with the Cross River State, highlighting the promotion of bamboo production as an alternative livelihood and solid waste management.

The Commissioner used the opportunity of the visit to present a painting projecting the environmental decadence of Cross River State to the Minister and the need for urgent intervention.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Director of Administration, Ministry of Environment, Barr. John Odu, Consultant of the Ministry, Hon. Eguma Ngwu and Dr. Uboho Ekpo.