Reps Speaker decries illegal ivory, pangolin scales smuggling

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abass, has decried the astronomical rise in the smuggling of illegal ivory and pangolin scales from Africa to Asia.

The Speaker disclosed that between 2016 and 2019, more than half of the pangolin scales seized globally originated from Nigeria.

He further stated that in January 2019, Hong Kong Customs seized $8 million worth of elephant tusks and pangolin scales from a shipping container sent from Nigeria.

The Speaker made this known at the start of the public hearing on the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, organised by the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements, held on Thursday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Represented by the House Minority Whip, Ali Isa JC, he referred to conservationists’ estimates, stating that Nigeria has fewer than 500 elephants, 100 Cross River gorillas, and about 50 lions left, underlining the need for urgent action to curtail the ugly trend.

“Pangolins are endangered or on the brink of extinction. At the same time, other species are in decline, including crocodiles and antelope species such as cane rats and duikers, which are widely available in ‘bush meat’ markets across the country,” he said.

“This decline is due to habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change, which adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by these already vulnerable species.

“The loss of biodiversity weakens our ecosystem resilience, making it more susceptible to environmental disturbances. The disruption of ecological balance can lead to the decline of other species, impacting food security and potentially triggering unforeseen consequences for human health.”

Stressing the need to turn the country’s wildlife and environment into economic assets, he said ecotourism, which relies on healthy ecosystems and vibrant wildlife populations, can be a powerful driver of economic growth.

He explained that investment in the sector will, in turn, create jobs, generate revenue, and promote sustainable development that will benefit local communities and the country at large.

The Speaker reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to regulating wildlife trade, conserving migratory species, and protecting ecosystems through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

He explained that the Bill is not merely a legislative exercise but a critical step towards fulfilling the moral obligation to protect the environment and preserve the legacy of invaluable species for future generations.

The Bill seeks to establish a robust legal framework that will address the multifaceted challenges threatening endangered animals and plants, such as illegal wildlife trade, by imposing stringent penalties on those involved in the trafficking of endangered species. It also aims to promote sustainable wildlife management through the establishment of conservation areas and the implementation of community-based conservation initiatives, among others.