….. as Stakeholders berates Delta Government for signing MOU with Serendib without the community
By Emmanuel Abi Couson
Nigeria minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said the Delta State Mosaic Mangrove Conservation Project initiative is a critical step toward safeguarding our environment and ensuring the sustainable management of the rich natural resources in the Niger Delta region ; just as stakeholders took a swipe at the State Government for signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)with Serendib Capital UK without communities involvement.
‘’They are vital ecosystems that support an array of wildlife and protect our coastlines from erosion and flooding .Mangrove are excellent carbon sinks , breeding and nursery grounds for commercial fish. Thus, their restoration effort will enhance the nation fisheries value chain’’ Lawal said.
He disclosed that the country Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), pilot mangrove restoration of a 560-hectares shoreline in Bomu , Gokana Rivers State has seen over 800,000 of black, white and red mangrove seedlings planted , with 90 youths including women have been trained in mangrove nursery establishment m planting and monitoring.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Media Abubakar Evuti the minister said each trainee called Mangrove Vanguards( MV ) receives one hundred thousand naira catalytic grant to set up mangrove nurseries, and they sell the mangrove seedlings to mangrove planting contractors at the sites . Additional 450 young people and women are employed as planters and monitors of the mangrove.
The Delta State Commissioner for Environment Jamani Tommy Ejiro represented by the Director of Climate Change in the ministry said the project is in partnership with Serendib Capital UK , signed by Delta State Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori aimed at the restoration and preservation of the state mangrove forests and the entire ecosystem.
He said the project prioritizes environmental sustainability and also ensures local demands for job creation, infrastructural development, education and climate resilience structures.
Jamani encouraged the participants to own the project by ensuring they adequately build their capacities and be abreast with the whole objectives and timelines with a view to ensuring the benefits that accrues to their communities is well understood by them.
Also speaking Serendib Chief Operating Officer Mr Christian Elemele said the project which will cover six local governments of the state and it is a long time investment which not only aims to restore and protect vital coastal ecosystems , promote biodiversity and environmental health but also improve soil quality and agricultural productivity as well as engaging and empowering local communities through sustainable practices.
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) which is a nonprofit organisation focused on promoting peace and equitable economic growth in Nigeria Niger Delta Region through partnership also spoke on its role as a partner to support Serendib and the Delta State Government in improving lives and livelihoods by deploying her expertise and experience to help enhance Serendib’s engagement with local communities, farmers, businesses, and other market actors.
However participants who spoke commended the initiative but took a swipe on the government signing an MOU without involving the communities abinitio saying that even the contents of the agreement is not known to the community.
They raised eyebrows on the MOU which according to them is to run for thirty years and the communities ought to be part of the helicopter view even if not the detail of the agreement before it is signed as it does not portray ownership.
The Scope of the Project under this Agreement are:
Preservation and restoration of the Mangrove Forest Ecosystem (MFE)
Reduction of deforestation and degradation of the MFE.
Facilitation of investment and trade in legal and sustainable MFE-related products.
Creation of a voluntary community Mangrove Carbon Credits Project by working with urban and rural communities to support a sustainable blue economy.
Improvement of the local communities’ resilience by generating long-term revenue from MFE.
Provision of education and vocational training for the urban and rural communities to boost the economic growth of the State.
Provision of income for local communities by creating MFE-related employment opportunities and income generating prospects.
Any other adjustment to the project scope or component as may be agreed upon by the Parties.
Other technical partners like the Delta State University and eight versa, did presentation on the challenges of coastal degradation, pollution, biodiversity loss, soil degradation and climate change as it affects the Mangrove vegetation as well as the seagrass of the Niger Delta.
Serendib Capital Uk which is the lead organisation on February 28, 2024, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Delta State Government, to restore its mangrove forest, seagrass protection and preservation of the ecosystem for conservation and environmental sustainability.
The organisation leverage on its key partners which are Delta State University Abraka (DELSU) , Eight versa ,a London based sustainability consultancy as well as well as The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) to deliver on the project which is expected to run for thirty years .
Delsu partnership aims to establish a state of the art Laboratory at the institution for conducting soil sampling tests and analyses related to mangrove soil carbon, seagrass and biochar, thereby supporting mangrove conservation efforts in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ( UNFCCC) objectives
Eight Versa will be advising Serendib Uk on the environmental impact and implications of the projects with a view to providing financial vehicle and power for the protection of the ecosystems and also serve as a buffer for climate change .
The carbon mosaic solution which aims at restoring and protecting mangrove ecosystems enhance coastal resilience, increase biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
It will also provide solution to seagrass conservation by protecting and restoring seagrass meadows to support marine biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration.
Delsu presented dealt on the problem of the coastal degradation, pollution, biodiversity loss, soil degradation and climate change as it affects the mangrove forest as well as seagrass and then came up with the solution of the Carbon Mosiac Strategy to deal with these myriads of issues.
The Carbon Mosaic strategy is heating agricultural waste through the use biochar (also known as horticultural charcoal ) which is a charcoal like product that contains no petroleum but biomass waste to enhance soil fertility and reduce greenhouse gas emission.
its presentation eight versa presented the Citizens Science App, which is a mobile based tool developed to engaging communities to record and collect environmental data And it also presented the expected benefits to the community through close to five thousand being created as well as economic development by preserving and restoring the coastal ecosystem, improved livelihood of the local communities, safe environment and improved air quality amongst others.
