A climate change expert, Prof. Olukayode oladipo said environmental degradation, resulting in loss of livelihoods and human, animal migration further south would worsen the farmers and herders conflicts
He made this call during an interview with blueprint in Abuja.
Oladipo stated that a good national policy and action plan (NAP) that was aligned with the UNCCD action plan added that there is also the Great Green wall Initiative with a Great Green wall Agency that is heavily involved in afforestation.
“There are also a number of projects and initiatives in the areas of improved cook stove and sustainable livelihoods in the 11 frontline states and major challenge is that the initiatives are yet to be properly coordinated for them to have significant impact. Lack of long-term plant for proper coordinated implementation and monitoring for impact.
According to him, National Forestry Action Plan is yet to be properly legislated for consistent implementation and the country suffers from the usual policy summersault that makes long term result oriented approach to afforestation difficult.
“The approach to tackling the current insecurity situation in the country, particularly with respect to kidnapping may result in serious destruction of existing forests as government intends to flush out the criminals in their forest hideout. This may result in serious deforestation as one of the plans is to even clear 25m on each side of the road between Benin and Ore,” he stressed.
He noted that the country is not doing enough to tackle the threat of desertification.
“The ecological fund is not utilized well, there is need to be open and transparent in reporting on initiatives to combat desertification that the fund is being used for,” he explained.
Oladipo said we all need to do is to consolidate all existing policies, activities into a comprehensive national programmes with well formulated activities and supported by assured financial resources form the Ecological fund that should be implemented transparently over a minimum period of 25 years to witness significant progress in the management of the land and water resources of the affected areas for sustainable development that will meet the needs of the people and promote resilient ecosystems.
