Collaboration ongoing with relevant agencies to clear our forest of bandits, illegal miners- Minister
Feb. 1, 2024
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal has disclosed that there is an ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies to clean the forest of bandits, illegal miners and the coastal areas where oil theft take place.
He also said that the Federal Government will procure more arms for effective operations of the National Park Service (NPS).
The Minister disclosed this on Thursday when he paid official visit to the headquarters of NPS and the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in Abuja.
Lawal said President Bola Tinubu was much concerned about the operations of the parks because of spate of insecurity in the country.
NPS is statutorily responsible for the preservation, enhancement and protection of wild animals and plants and other vegetation in National Parks; and for matters connected therewith.
The Minister charged the NBMA to be more proactive in its approaches and to engage more in researches to curb the inflow of unwanted genetically modified foods.
“If you allow these genetically modified foods to come into the markets, there will be a very fierce war,” he said.
He commended the two agencies for their efforts and urged them to do more in order to keep up with their mandates.
Lawal further tasked the agencies on team work, dedication and punctuality to duty at all times for effective discharge of their duties.
Earlier, Dr. Ibrahim Goni Conservator-General of NPS appealed to the minister for upward review of their subvention.
Goni also requested procurement of more arms to curb trans-banditry activities with Cameroon as well as commercialisation of three parks.
On her part, Dr Agnes Asagbra the Director- General of NBMA appealed for the provision of bigger office space and more trainings for members of staff of the agency
She also requested machinery to fight environmental activities impeding on the operations of the agency.
Both agencies made elaborate presentations of their operations to the Minister.