500,000 trees to be planted in N’Delta over biodiversity crisis

About 500,000 trees will be planted in the Niger Delta, particularly in Bayelsa State to address the rising biodiversity crisis in 11 littoral communities.

The initiative, championed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P), in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) will be accomplished in the next five years.

The plan, dubbed Afforestation, Livelihood Enhancement, and Carbon Sequestration (ALEC) is coming in response to Nigeria’s alarming rate of deforestation and biodiversity loss, with 70-80 per cent of the nation’s original forests already depleted.

The organisations, in a joint press release, said the initiative will focus on restoring critical mangrove and tropical forest habitats, combating climate change, and supporting the local population with sustainable livelihoods.

Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Ltd, Bala Wunti, highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship, stressing, “This initiative reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and social responsibility as well as a clear understanding that sustainable business success is inherently tied to the well-being of the communities we serve and the ecosystems we rely on.”

First E&P’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, Emmanuel Etomi, stressed the project’s role in combining environmental restoration with community development.

Director General of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja expressed excitement over the partnership, which aligns with the foundation’s goals of habitat restoration and climate action.