The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) has called on the federal government to issue an immediate ban on foreigners involved in illegal tree felling and exportation.
A statement issued by NHRC publicity secretary, Taiwo Adeleye, listed forests in Kogi, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Plateau, Bayelsa and 10 other states as the most affected.
NHRC called for a presidential probe panel and judicial commissions of enquiry in all the affected states to identify, punish and sanction all the foreign interests and their collaborators involved in this illegal business.
The group accused Chinese, Koreans and Lebanese nationals of being the principal culprits in the environmental degradation.
“In the past three months, the NHRC has been receiving reports from across the country from indigenous peoples whose livelihood is threatened and their forest resources are at the verge of extinction. These communities are helpless.
“They face a hopeless situation. The most affected communities are in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Lagos, Osun, Cross Rivers, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States. The Northern States most hit are Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States.
“The main actors are Chinese, Koreans and Lebanese who have no other jobs than to invade the forests and cut down the trees for export in the most ignoble, vicious and callous manners. There is no Environmental Impact Assessment, (EIA), not free, prior and informed consent of affected indigenous communities while the desperate hunt for these precious forest reserves continues. It may interest Nigerians to know that these precious trees that cost fortunes are never replaced by these foreigners who feast on them.
“Their main targets are Rosewood, Araria, Mahogany, Iroko, Annually, some 3.5° 0, approximately 350,000-400,000 hectares. Nigeria is home to some 285 mammals, 203 reptiles, 117 Amphibians, 775 different fishes, 864 species of birds, 285 mammals, 203 reptiles, 117 amphibians, 775 fishes and about 4,715 species of higher plants. The desperate search and destruction of these precious trees lead to the destruction and annihilation of these special species created by God.
“The implications on agriculture, sustainable livelihood, spiritual well-being, climate change, and political economy are unimaginable. These acts violate the Nigeria constitution and the various United Nations Conventions on the environment including but not limited to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
NHRC called on President Mohammadu Buhari, the National Assembly and the 36 state governors to immediately ban the Chinese, Lebanese, Koreans and all foreigners involved in illegal exportation of Nigerian’s precious wood resources.
