By Grace Samuel
Environmental stakeholders have come together to address climate change through the restoration of mangroves in Nigeria.
At an event to launch the UK PACT project, which focuses on managing mangrove ecosystems and providing social support for coastal communities in Cross Rivers in Abuja recently, the importance of preserving the mangrove ecosystem was emphasized.
FAO Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Koffy Kouacou, stressed the significance of this initiative for improving livelihood in these areas.
Kouacou emphasized the urgent need for restoring the mangrove ecosystem, citing the daily negative impact of deforestation on the climate due to activities like firewood and timber collection leading to air pollution.
He thanked the UK PACT and the Federal Ministry of Environment Cross River Government for supporting the project.
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Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Salisu Dahiru, highlighted the significance of mangroves in capturing carbon, supporting livelihoods, and meeting emissions reduction goals.
He also pledged support for environmental initiatives and lauded stakeholders for working together to revive the mangrove ecosystem.
Dahiru also praised the joint efforts of FAO and the UK PACT projects in utilizing underutilized resources for Nigeria’s climate goals.
He informed that the project aligns with mitigation options, aids in climate adaptations, and enhances institutional strengthening, research practices, adaptive management, and collaboration among stakeholders in Nigeria.
Martine Sobey, the Climate Change and Nature Team Leader at the British High Commission and a representative of the UK PACT in Nigeria, also emphasized the importance of safeguarding forests to protect communities from erosion, desertification, and deforestation.
Earlier, Johnson Ebokpo, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development in Cross River, pledged to restore mangroves in the state and affirmed the government’s ongoing support in this regard.
