FG Raises the Alarm Over Worsening Land Degradation

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government has raised the alarm that land degradation was expected to worsen in the country as the population continues to grow.

Speaking at this year’s celebration of World Desertification and Drought Day in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf said: “Land degradation is currently one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems and it is expected to worsen especially in Nigeria with increasing population unless remedial action is taken.”

The Permanent Secretary who was represented at the ceremony by the Director, Department of Drought and Desertification Management in the Ministry, Mrs. Mable Okirigho-Emmanuel, said: “Land degradation affects everyone through food insecurity, higher food prices, climate change, environmental hazards and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.”

The Permanent Secretary who noted that the theme of this year’s celebration: “Her Land Her Right: Advancing Gender  Equality and Land Restoration Goals,” was apt, noted that: “Land restoration has been proposed as an important measure to reverse degradation and address the problems it causes, while Gender-responsive actions are central to effective, efficient and sustainable land-restoration projects and programmes, equitable and secure land rights for women and vulnerable groups are critical for successful land restoration.”

He added: “We cannot shy away from the fact that women have unequal and limited access over the control of land and that women hold a vital stake in the health of the land, yet they often don’t have control over land.

“In all parts of the world, women face significant barriers in securing land rights, limiting their ability to thrive and prosper. And when land becomes degraded and water is scarce, women are often the worst affected.”

He insisted that: “Investing in women’s equal access to land and associated assets is a direct investment in their future and the future of humanity. It’s time for women and girls to be at the forefront of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts.”

He noted that: “Nigeria as country, party to the UNCCD is expected to consider and domesticate decisions of the Conference of the Parties, one of which is responsible land governance and tenure rights that are gender sensitive to enhance livelihoods and well-being of women and the vulnerable groups, and encourage inclusive participation of stakeholders in sustainable land management.”

He said: “It is therefore pertinent for us to join the global community to revisit and review our land laws and governance and customary rights to address gender inequality in securing land rights and hence encourage and empower women and other vulnerable groups to have access to land, promote inclusiveness and active participation in sustainable land management measures, and land restoration programmes.”

The Director General National Council on Climate Change, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, while presenting a goodwill message, said: “By mid-century, three-quarters of people could be living with drought and desertification, like we all know, climate change bears much responsibility for this plague, but so does how we manage our land.”

He added that: “Half the world’s population is already coping with the consequences of land degradation, with women and girls paying the highest price.

“This is why this year’s UNCCD theme for the celebration World Desertification and Drought Day is very timely, insisting that this theme should not be only for the right of women for land ownership “but we must and should scale it up to address every other component of gender inequality.

“This is the time for us to reverse this downward spiral, by mainstreaming issues of gender in all developmental agenda of the government and also in all policies and programmes. Ensuring the productivity of land and soils is an inexpensive, pro-poor way to combat climate change and improve the livelihoods and well-being of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people which women and girl child are huge part of in Africa. Empowering women as landowners is also a game-changer for addressing all issues of climate change.”