The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, raised concerns about Nigeria having the lowest forest cover globally, at only 3.7 per cent, far below the required 25 per cent. In an interview on Unfiltered: The Big Interview, Lawal highlighted the importance of the environment for good health and discussed the urgent need to address the declining forest cover in the country.
Lawal expressed President Buhari’s commitment to addressing forest-related issues, including the use of forests as hideouts by criminals. He emphasized the need for stricter measures and the training of judges to prosecute forest crimes effectively.
Additionally, Lawal discussed efforts to restore the ecosystem of Lake Chad, which has been adversely affected by the treaty on the lake. The Minister stressed the importance of addressing environmental challenges, citing the World Bank’s warnings about water scarcity and the impact of climate change on global water resources.
Lawal’s remarks underscore the critical need for environmental conservation and restoration efforts to protect Nigeria’s natural resources and address the looming crisis of diminishing forest cover and water scarcity.