The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal and his counterpart in the Ministry of Niger Delta, Engr. Abubakar Momoh commemorated the 2024 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem by planting mangrove trees.
They highlighted the importance of mangroves for coastal protection, biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
In celebration of the international day, the ministers participated in a mangrove planting event at Bomu Waterfront in Ogoniland, Rivers State. Minister Lawal emphasised that mangrove ecosystems act as natural barriers against storms and erosion, sequester carbon at rates three to four times higher than terrestrial forests, and serve as nurseries for countless marine species.
Lawal further explained that mangroves are more than just trees; they are guardians of coastlines, protectors against climate change, and providers of livelihoods for millions. The commemoration enhances climate resilience and supports local communities by providing natural protection and resources such as medicine and food.
He highlighted that July 26 is the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem and noted that HYPREP is undertaking the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves. “So far, we have planted 514,819 mangrove seedlings. While restoring mangroves through assisted planting, reducing mangrove harvesting pressure is also necessary. Thus, we commemorate this year’s World Mangrove Day with two significant activities. We are launching Growcoon as a sustainable alternative to using single-use plastics to nurse mangrove seedlings,” he added.
In a statement by the ministry’s head of press and public relations, Ibrahim Haruna, Lawal appealed to the community to protect the mangrove seedlings and urged planting more mangrove trees for the benefit of the community, the Niger Delta people and the country in general. Momoh also advised the people of the Niger Delta to plant more trees to safeguard the environment and ecosystem.
