Expert calls for better environmental laws

• Published date: 22 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

An Environmental law expert, Olivia Ihemeson, has said there's a need to review Nigeria's current environmental laws with a view to making them address the current realities of today.

She said the right environmental laws and adequate interventions will help in the protection and conservation of our environment to support the growing population.

Ihemeson, while addressing journalists recently, said, the government must put in place workable environmental and conservation policies that make direct and indirect impacts on the citizens.

She noted that the average Nigerian has very minimal knowledge of the environmental consequences of most seemingly harmless activities like the dumping of refuse in drains, bush burning, use of harmful herbicides in farming, indiscriminate felling of trees, radiation from living close to a communication mast, uniformed reclamation of wetlands by individuals among others.

'There must be deliberate policies in place to develop rural areas that mostly have been adversely affected. Adequate financial compensations be provided as well as an alternative source of income through the provision of skill acquisition for peasants who have lost their means of livelihood.'

Ihemeson added that the call for review of environmental laws on conservation and protection should be a concern for everyone. She observed that many individuals and organizations still engage in practices that negate environmental regulations and are less concerned about the effect.

'It is sad to say that many companies still use outdated production techniques, and the people who dump refuse and solid waste in rivers to the peasant in the hinterland who still use explosives to fish and cut down trees indiscriminately,' She noted.

...