Delta State Prioritizes Conservation, Environmental Sustainability
Eme Offiong, Calabar
The Delta state government has decided to prioritize ecosystems conservation and environmental sustainability with the support a United Kingdom based agency known as Serendib Capital UK.
The Delta State government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U) with the firm for the restoration of its mangrove forest and protection of seagrass as well as preservation of the ecosystem at the Government House, Asaba, the state capital.
In a remark, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori appreciated environmentalists for what he described as their visionary approach and unwielding commitment to a more sustainable environment for current and future generations.
According to Oborevwori, “the Memorandum of Understanding we just signed is very critical to the restoration and preservation of our mangrove forests and the entire ecosystem.
“Not only does this initiative prioritise environmental sustainability, but ensures local demand for job creation, infrastructural development, education and climate resilience structures.
“By dedicating these critical elements into the conservation effort, we are not only safeguarding our natural heritage, but also fostering social economy and enhancing our communities resilience to cope with climate change and deforestation on sustainable basis,” the governor stated.
He explained further, “this programme sets a remarkable precedent by demonstrating how environmental stewardship can harmoniously coexist with human development aspirations.
“I am deeply committed to environmental conservation and sustainable development and therefore I endorse the ground breaking for mangrove and seagrass conservation project,” he pledged.
While expressing gratitude to the foreign partners for the choice of Delta State for the project, Oborevwori reiterated his administration’s commitment to a stronger partnership for the prosperity of citizens.
Crude oil degradation
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Serendib Capital UK, Mr. Rafat Rizvi, appreciated the Delta State Government for the partnership, pointing out that the project would strategically target ecosystems damaged by crude oil degradation arising from poor management of mining and spillages over the years.
Rizvi stated,“what this means for Delta State is a long term solution, say thirty to fourty years solution to a sustainable environment. One in which there will be a significant amount of job creation, education with emphasis on youth development.
“As far as the Niger Delta is concerned, our intention is to help stop further degradation and see if we can actually push back and have replanting of sustainable plants,” the Managing Director stated.
Involving communities
The Managing Director noted that for the project to succeed, there was critical need for the local communities to be actively informed and involved in the restoration process.
Rizvi further explained that the expanse to be covered would require the engagement of a significant number of young people, which according to him would translate to income for those involved.
He said, “from the programmes we will put in place, there will be significant amount of credits and money will drop back in very significant amount to the local area; and that means that in carrying out those programmes, day to day jobs will be created. So, it is important that people in the area see and understand this project so that we are not seen as another bunch of foreigners coming in to exploit them and going away.
“The project covers a very large land mass, about 250,0000 hectares of land. Surely, we are looking for a very significant involvement of the local population. We are not here to change the ways the locals have lived for hundreds of years.
“We are here to help preserve the environment; to work with them as partners so that they will have no reason to leave the environment. We will be starting this project in March, that is about two weeks time,” he said.
The Vice Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Mr. Terseer Ugbor, who was one of those present at the endorsement ceremony, congratulated the Delta State Government for taking the lead in the conservation project and expressed commitment of the House to the project.
