Cross River Ministry of Environment in partnership with PROTEGO has organized a one-day workshop on the validation of the draft environment policy that would ensure a more viable and economically sustainable environmental management practices across the state.
The workshop which drew participants from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector and community groups, took place on Tuesday 20 May, 2025 at the HOGIS Royale Hotel, Calabar, the state capital.
Giving an overview of the draft policy, the director of environmental quality control in the ministry, Mr Akpa Akpa, explained that the policy provides a framework for an integrated approach to planning and sustainable management of Cross River State environment and natural resources.
READ ALSO: C’River Govt Commended for Advancing Maternal, Child Health Initiatives
Akpa said the policy will, among other things, strengthen the legal and institutional framework for good governance, effective coordination, and management of the environment and natural resources, and as well as ensure sustainable management of unique terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems for the state economic growth and improved livelihoods.
He said the draft environment policy will “promote and support research and capacity development as well as the use of innovative environmental management tools such as incentives, total economic valuation, indicators of sustainable development, Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Environmental Audits (EAs) and Payment for Environment Services (PES).”
The director emphasized that the key provisions of the policy will work together to promote sustainable development, reduce environmental degradation, and protect the wellbeing of communities and ecosystems.
Also speaking, the regional project director for PROTEGO, Mr Clems Ugorji, said that Cross River is globally known to harbour rare species of aquatic animals, hence the need for a robust policy to protect their habits, cannot be overemphasized.
“The second thing is the transition to a circular economy for waste management in Cross River State. That’s very critical. We all see the menace of irresponsible disposable of waste across the country. It is important for us to ensure that waste does not become a nuisance but can be transformed into industrial materials to create wealth for citizens.
“PROTEGO stands for the prevention of marine litters in the gulf of Guinea. It is a project that is funded by the German government, and it is implemented on pilot basis, first in Nigeria and then Ghana. In Nigeria it is being implemented in Lagos and Cross River. The project is concerned about marine litters – the access of waste from land sources to the marine environment. The idea, which is also covered in the policy, is to see how we can ensure that there’s a better management of waste on land surfaces,” he said.
On her part, Ruth Akagu, a researcher at the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria, described the draft policy as rich in content and all encompassing, stressing that it relates to plants and animals, including humans. She said that man depends more on the environment for survival, and as such, greater effort should be invested into protecting and safeguarding it.
Akagu who is also the technical adviser for Organization For Positive Sustainability Culture In Nigeria, said the policy will help Cross River mitigate the effects of harmful environmental practices in the state.
The draft environment policy will be formally validated and launched on World Environment Day in June this year.
About the Author
