A bill for the enactment of “Delta State Environmental Conservation Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith”, has scaled second reading on the floor of the Delta State House of Assembly.
The lead sponsor and Member Representing Warri South-West constituency, Hon Dennis Emomotimi Guwor, who led debates on its merits, said the bill will put the 7th Assembly in the good book of the house for posterity.
He added that the bill which is made up of seven parts, fifty clauses and seven schedules, seeks to provide for the management of the environment in respect to the conservation of the biodiversity and the ecosystem.
It also seeks to set aside funds for the financing of the government afforestation programmes, protect and preserve the fauna and flora that are threatened with extinction, as well as constitute green areas as game reserve in the state.
The Lawmaker noted that the issue of conservation of the environment has become a global phenomenon, especially with global warming as a result of the ozone layer depletion.
According to Hon. Guwor, the proposed law will help to ensure that the environment is conserved for the benefit of future generations.
He stated; “Mr Speaker, there are special plants that are endangered and almost extinct. The proposed law will make it an offense for anyone to uproot, fell, injure or strip-off the bark or leaves of these plants”.
The Lawmaker said damages to any plant species in the red list, shall be liable to two years imprisonment or ten thousand naira fine per stump. He hinted that clause seven of the bill prohibits people from engaging in any activities in the biodiversity reserve without the permission of the appropriate authority.
The environmental conservation bill also provides that whoever purchases, sells or possesses any plant in the red list, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction, to one year imprisonment or a fine of ten thousand naira or both.
The Lawmakers in the house commended the bill, and stressed that there must be a deliberate effort to conserve the environment.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who presided over the plenary referred to the bill to the House Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas for further legislative actions.