The minister of state for petroleum resources and NNPC group managing director, Ibe Kachikwu, made this commitment during the World Environment Day (WED) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja. He stated that this move demonstrated the support of Nigeria’s oil sector for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on best environmental management practices.
Kachikwu said that as part of the corporation’s initiative to conserve wildlife, it had set up the Lekki Conservation Centre with the support of Chevron Nigeria and Finima Nature Park in Bonny with the support of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).
The minister stated that over time, the Federal Government has recognised the importance of wildlife resources and demonstrated its commitment to its preservation by establishing national parks and game reserves for the protection and preservation of wildlife and their natural habitats.
He urged the staff of the corporation to support wildlife conservation in Nigeria for a sustainable environment. He added that oil exploration and exploitation affects the natural habitats of wildlife and stressed the need for concerted efforts to safeguard the environment from devastation.
Guest speaker at the event, Millicent Ele, called for the strict enforcement of environmental regulations in order for oil companies to operate in line with best practices.
