Bayelsa Commissioner describes wildlife conservation as key to environment sustenance

By Tariebi Kwokwo

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment Mr lselema Gbaranbiri has described the conservation of wildlife as key to the sustenance of the environment. 

 

 Mr Gbaranbiri stated this on Wednesday during a virtual meeting with stakeholders in the state to mark 2021’s World Wildlife Day Celebration along with the global community in his office , Yenagoa.

 He called on the people of the state to preserve the forest and wildlife, pointing out that the state and its future was dependent on the successful harnessing of the enormous resources in our environment, both on land and water.

The Commissioner further stressed that preserving and conservation of wildlife in our environment was key to the Prosperity Government and as such, the ministry of environment has decided to work with meaningful organizations and stakeholders to ensure that our environment was given protection and attention.

 In his remark, the Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Mr.Festus Egba  stressed the need to preserve our forest to conserve wildlife in the state, adding that the forest is an habitat for wildlife and must be managed wisely so that our wildlife do not go into extinction.

Mr Egba further disclosed that presently the state has two forest reserves that were nationally recognized; these are “The Apoi and Edumanom forest reserves”, adding that if they properly managed it would provide a good habitat for our wildlife.

 The  Youth  Affairs Coordinator of Akassa Development Foundation (ADF) and Secretary General, West African Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WASTCON), Mr Raynus Ebiegberi in their presentation titled ; “Conservation in Bayelsa State: Results and Challenges “noted that Bayelsa State is designated as a key Biodiversity Area (KBA) with several endangered species of land and water birds captured in the birdlife baseline survey and that the entire wildlife population was gradually going into extinction due to humans over exploitation.

 Mr Ebiegberi said the illegal felling of trees and other exploitation activities of man was increasing daily and rendering wildlife homeless. He therefore pleaded for the state government to implement laws against wildlife trading, illegal lumbering, and the likes to control human activities.

Also, Mr Morris Alagoa, an Environmentalist, in his presentation, titled: “Effect of Oil Pollution on Wildlife”, noted that Bayelsa State from one of NOSDRA's report was said to be the most polluted in Nigeria and that as a state we must step up our game on preserving our environment and wildlife while saying that as  a people we  cannot survive in a polluted Environment.

 Others who were in attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Environment, Mr Mightyman Aye Dikuro, FNIM, Director Climate Change Department, Ministry of Environment, Mr Wakedei Davidson Ere amongst others.