Stakeholders in the environmental on Tuesday, met in Abuja to discuss ways of strengthening collaboration to mitigate climate change through the restoration of mangroves in Nigeria.
The stakeholders met during the inauguration of the UK PACT project, which is on the integrated management of the mangrove ecosystem and the expansion of social protection for fisheries and forest dependents in the coastal communities of Cross River.
In his address, Koffy Kouacou, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative in Nigeria emphasised the need to save the mangrove ecosystem as part of efforts to impact livelihoods.
Kouacou said that mangroves need restoration due to the negative impacts of deforestation through firewood and timber collection, which causes air pollution. He expressed appreciation to the UK PACT, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Cross River government for supporting the project.
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Kouacou assured FAO’s support for environmental initiatives and commended the stakeholders for collaborating on the project.
Also speaking, Salisu Dahiru, director-general (DG) of the National Council on Climate Change, said mangroves play an important role in carbon sequestration and reducing emissions.
Dahiru said that the UK PACT project in partnership with FAO will help in harnessing resources critical to the country’s nationally determined contribution (NDCs), adding that the project aligns with one of the mitigation options, helps in climate adaptation and strengthens collaboration amongst stakeholders.
Martine Sobey, who is climate change and nature leader at the British High Commission, said that forest protection will be provided for communities impacted by erosion, desert encroachment and deforestation.
Story was adapted from the Cable.
