By Martha Agas
The Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR) has called for the review of the proposed establishment of a naval base inside the Stubb Creek Forest Reserve.

NAPPDRR Executive Director, Mr Emem Edoho, made the call in a petition submitted on behalf of the indigenous peoples and host communities of Stubb Creek Forest Reserve in four Akwa Ibom Local Government Areas.

The petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu through the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal on Monday, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The local government areas include Esit-Eket, Ibeno, Mbo and Eket.
Edoho said the Akwa Ibom Government’s announcement of the proposed development on Oct. 13 had raised concerns among stakeholders, particularly as the directive allegedly contravened extant laws and international commitments.

He said establishing a military base without the free, prior and informed consent of the Ekid and Ibeno indigenous communities in the area would violate principles relating to indigenous peoples’ rights.

He also said the project could cause economic displacement through the loss of fishing grounds, non-timber forest products, firewood and farmlands without compensation or a resettlement plan in contrast to provisions of Land Use Act 1978.

The executive director said the forest also known as Akoiyak Ekid, provided critical ecosystem services, including flood control, carbon sequestration, fisheries breeding grounds and livelihood sustenance.

He described the reserve as a biodiversity hotspot in the Gulf of Guinea, comprising mangrove swamp, freshwater swamp and tropical rainforest ecosystems.

According to him, the reserve has been home to species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, including Sclater’s guenon, Mona monkey, manatee, pangolin and forest elephant.

He said an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was mandatory for any project likely to significantly affect the environment, which he alleged was not conducted for the proposed development.

“No EIA, public display or public hearing has been conducted or published for this project. Proceeding without it is an offence under Section 60 punishable by fine and imprisonment, as affirmed in Gbemre v. Shell,” he said.

He also cited the Akwa Ibom Law for the Preservation and Control of Forests, 2000, which he said prescribed procedures for de-reservation, including gazette notice, survey, public inquiry and legislative approval.

Edoho also raised concerns about the potential climate impact of the proposed development, saying destruction of the mangroves would release stored carbon and undermine Nigeria’s climate commitments.

According to him, security presence inside a fragile ecosystem has historically led to militarisation of resource access, increased illegal logging and human rights concerns, rather than community security.

He urged Tinubu to order an immediate halt to any clearing, de-reservation or construction within the reserve pending full compliance with due process.

He further called for an independent panel comprising representatives of the Federal Government, Akwa Ibom Government, Ekid People’s Union, Ibeno communities, NAPPDRR and environmental experts to determine the status, boundaries and preservation plan for the reserve.

Edoho also urged the federal government to declare Stubb Creek Forest Reserve a Critical Natural Habitat and Community Conserved Area for ecotourism, blue economy and climate resilience.

He stressed that destruction of Stubb Creek Forest Reserve for any project, however laudable its intention, would amount to irreversible environmental injustice, a violation of Nigerian law, and a betrayal of Nigeria’s climate commitments to the world.(NAN)
MAA/DCO
=====
Edited by Deborah Coker