Senator Fon Fontem Njifua Lucas has promised that the protection and management of the rich biodiversity Lebialem Highlands will be his priority as he takes up duty.
By Regina Fonjia Leke
Senator Njifua was speaking July 6 in Menji, the chief town of Lebialem Division.
According to the Senator, Lebialem remains one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the country with the presence of globally protected wildlife species such as the Cross River Gorilla, Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee and the Forest African Elephant.
“I am going to have a tête-à-tête with the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife so that together we can seek ways to protect these animals,” the Senator said, adding that since Lebialem is an area whose topography makes it prone to landslides, he would use his position as a law maker to influence many more tree planting projects in the area to prevent erosion.
Questioned about the stand of the Senate as far as biodiversity conservation is concerned, Senator Njifua said the Senate is a new House and they are moving progressively.
“A bill on biodiversity conservation is yet to come up. When it eventually comes up, we will take that into serious consideration because environmental protection is very important,” he said.
Njifua equally promised to get all hunters in Lebialem Division drop their hunting weapons or face the wrath of the law.
He acknowledged the biggest problem as being that of poachers not being educated to know the importance of these animals which the state is seeking to protect.
The Senator described it as their heritage, which must be protected.
Corroborating Senator’s concern about electricity and good roads, Alternate Senator, Nso Nicolas, said electricity supply and road infrastructure would be top on their agenda for the Lebialem people.
Senator Nso said poor road infrastructure is what has impeded economic development in Lebialem Division.
On the issue of the environment, Senator Nso said, “Fontem has an environment with a porous ecosystem; the sustainable management of the environment is, therefore, part of our agenda, and me, in particular, who comes from Wabane Sub-Division – an area prone to landslides and other environmental hazards.”
Nso explained that he would have talks with the Senior Divisional Officer with regards to the creation of a Gorilla sanctuary as the first step towards conserving the Division’s rich biodiversity.
“Geographically, Lebialem is located on the slopes of Mount Bamboutos, which means we are vulnerable to erosions and landslides so we would do our best to forward these problems to the government,” he said.
The Traditional Ruler of Ndungmweh (Fontem Sub-Division), Chief Forsah, who doubles as President of the Lebang Chiefs’ Union, said the environment remains one of the greatest concerns of the people of Lebialem.
He said the chiefs are going to constantly remind the Senators of their duty to table the environmental concerns to the government.
Elites present at the ceremony had their own story to tell as far as the management and protection of the environment is concerned.
“Our leaders have not given enough attention to our fragile environment. In Magha, where I live, we face the problem of landslides every now and then. Unfortunately, those representing us in parliament have not been able to bring projects that can solve this problem,” Akewe Donaltus, told The Green Vision.
He regretted that since the 2003 landslides that claimed 23 lives, little has been done either to compensate the victims or to restore the degraded landscapes.
“I hope that our new Senator will be able to make the difference,” Akewe said.
Another elite from Mbindia village said, “Fontem is blessed with rich touristic potentials in fauna and flora; potentials which if well harnessed could bring in revenue through tourism.” He urged the Senators to make the protection of the environment a top priority.
Lebialem Senator Promises Full Environmental Protection
