The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has warned against the destruction of Magodo wetlands appealing to the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt encroachment by property developers in such sites.
NCF Director General, Dr. Joseph Onoja called for urgent intervention such as awareness creation, habitat restoration, and livelihood improvement to stop further degradation of wetlands and help in their restoration.
Speaking on the alleged clearing of Magodo wetlands, Onoja said: “NCF considers this as insensitive and lacks understanding of the important role that wetlands play and we call on the agency of government responsible for protecting the wetlands to swing into action to stop the destruction.
“We, therefore, make an appeal to the state’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources with professionals experienced in conservation and ecology to advise on the danger inherent in destroying or degrading wetlands in our environment.”
He harped on the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet, with the need to preserve and conserve, adding, “Protecting wetlands can protect our safety and welfare. The theme of this year’s Wetland Day highlights the urgent need to prioritise wetland restoration and save the world’s wetlands from disappearing.”
According to him, NCF has been playing a leading role in mobilising support, attracting attention, and influencing decisions in favour of wetlands protection and conservation in Nigeria. “The foundation continues to intensify efforts in ensuring that wetlands are not being considered as waste land.
Wetlands are a dynamic aquatic ecosystem found all over the world. It is an area of land that is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. It can be freshwater, brackish or saline.
“Wetlands can be biological supermarkets that provide a great volume of food, which attract animal species. These animals use wetlands for part of or all their life cycle. It provides values that no other ecosystem can. These include natural water quality improvement, flood protection, shoreline, and erosion control, opportunities for recreation and aesthetic appreciation, as well as natural products for our use at no cost.
“Wetlands contribute immensely to tackling climate change challenges by enhancing the adaptation and resilience capacity of the ecosystems, provide nature-based climate solutions and address socio-economic challenges such as water pollution, erosion, food security and human health, and disaster risk management by restoring water catchments,” he added.
