In a decisive move towards environmental sustainability and community empowerment, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its joint venture partner, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P), in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), have announced the launch of the Afforestation, Livelihood Enhancement, and Carbon Sequestration (ALEC) initiative.
The initiative is expected to combat critical issues of deforestation, biodiversity loss and climate change in 11 littoral communities of Bayelsa State while also simultaneously enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the local population.
As reported by Global Forest Watch and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), deforestation in Nigeria calls for immediate action, with an estimated 70-80% of the nation’s original forests already lost due to unsustainable logging and agricultural expansion.
Also according to projections by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Nigeria harbours 309 species that are currently listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List and without immediate and decisive action, Nigeria is on track to lose its remaining mangrove forests by 2050, a loss that would not only exacerbate the effects of climate change but also further endanger the country’s rich biodiversity.
The ALEC Initiative, in response to the pressing issues, will be planting half a million trees over a span of five years and work towards rehabilitating and conserving critical ecosystems in the host communities for the NNPC Ltd/First E&P. The initiative, according to the organisers, will help restore some critical mangrove and tropical forest habitats for the communities to create greener, more sustainable ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife in addition to contributing to global climate mitigation efforts through enhanced carbon sequestration
Speaking on the partnership signing, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, said, “This initiative reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and social responsibility as well as a clear understanding that sustainable business success is inherently tied to the well-being of the communities we serve and the ecosystems we rely on.
To the Executive Director, Corporate Services at First E&P, Mr Emmanuel Etomi, “The ALEC Project marks a pivotal step in our journey towards a sustainable future. By restoring the vital ecosystems of our host communities, we are not only addressing a critical environmental need but also empowering local communities with new economic opportunities. This project exemplifies the powerful synergy between environmental stewardship and community development, underscoring our deep commitment to leaving a lasting legacy of positive impact.”
The Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr Joseph Onoja, said the project aligns with the Foundation’s strategic pillars, which cover habitat restoration, tackling the climate crisis and also species conservation
“We are very excited about this project because it aligns with our strategic pillars, such as habitat restoration, tackling the climate crisis, and species conservation. This project will help us achieve some of the key goals we have set and ensure that people in the beneficiary communities as well as Nigeria as a whole enjoy a better quality of life while safeguarding the environment.”
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