By Tina Amanda
The Director of the Tropical Research and Conservation Center (TRCC), ikponke Nkanta, has called on communities, stakeholders, and International Oil Companies (IOCs) to collaborate in preserving and conserving the mangrove ecosystem in the Niger Delta region.
Nkanta made this appeal during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The event, organized by TRCC in partnership with Sustainable Actions for Nature (SAN) and funded by First Climate, highlighted the critical state of the mangrove ecosystem in the region.
Nkanta emphasized that the mangrove ecosystem has suffered significant degradation due to various human activities such as farming, aquaculture, urban development, pollution, over-exploitation, and extreme weather. He stressed that these factors continue to pose a severe threat to the sustainability of this vital ecosystem.
“Looking at the importance of the ecosystem Rivers State is one the state in Nigeria with a large portion of mangrove forest land, we are expanding our project to Rivers State, the Niger Delta mangrove restoration project. Which we are looking at restoring the degraded mangrove forests within the Niger Delta region.
“The degradation on loss of the mangrove ecosystem according to data is an average of 72 percent in most mangrove developing countries leading to devastating socio-economic and environmental consequences in coastal communities.
“Such degradation activities include cutting of the mangrove for timber or firewood, destruction of the mangrove forest for urbanization and or development by Organizations, causing an increase in rising sea levels resulting in their submerging and eventual loss.
“The degradation of mangrove has really affected the livelihood of the people and even their health, because when the mangrove is destroyed, people that collect aquatic resources like fishes, and periwinkles, their livelihood is also affected.
“The benefits of mangroves include providing breeding grounds for aquatic animals like fish, shellfish, reptiles, birds, and other wildlife.
“What we need is continuous awareness, engagement of the community people, and the locals living around the mangrove ecosystem in the conservation and restoration effort. Companies operating within the areas should be mindful of waste disposal, their operations should be done in a way that is environmentally friendly”.
He explained further that mangroves help in the fight against climate change, as they take up to five (5) times more carbon than other plants; prevent erosion, and provide timber, fuel, food, medicine, and other resources.
Professor of Plant Ecology and Eco restoration, University of Port Harcourt, Franklin Tanee, in his keynote presentation, said the world is evolving around carbon credit and the nation can only get carbon credit from the mangrove.
“The global world now is talking about carbon credit, the only source where we can get our carbon credit is from the mangrove. Mangroves can generate carbon credit for this country if they invest in mangroves”.
Professor Tanee said further that People need the mangrove for survival. “if the mangrove is there people in the coastal areas will be independent, they would not so much depend on white collar jobs, it would generate funds for them”.
Director, of Sustainable Actions for Nature, Dr. Grace Alawa, advocates for a multilateral approach needed for sustainable regeneration, protection, and conservation of the mangroves.
” In this light, community-based conservation is the right step and the focus of our meeting today. Beyond protection and restoration, we also need global awareness, by raising awareness of the mysteries of mangroves, we can better preserve them.
“Herein lies the objective of this Day: for everyone in our societies to become aware of the value, the beauty, and the vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems and to commit to their protection.
“The stakeholders those who have a stake in the mangrove ecosystem should come together and form a force to see how to conserve the mangrove ecosystem. A collective effort will strengthen the conservation strength”.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Rivers State, Dr. Onimim Jack, thanked organizers of the Stakeholder Consultation meeting on the Niger Delta Mangrove Restoration Project while expressing hope that the project will restore the mangrove ecosystem in the state and Niger Delta at large.
“I commend the organizers (TRCC) of this meeting and all stakeholders for their tireless efforts in making this project a reality. Let us continue to work together in harmony and dedication. This project is a beacon of hope for the regeneration of our ecosystem, the revitalization of our economy, and the empowerment of our people. I am confident that together, we can achieve great things and create a brighter future for generations to come”.
Our Correspondent reported that the event had representatives from the government, stakeholders in the ecosystem, and various community leaders in attendance.
