Yenagoa – A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called on the Federal Government to review the route of the proposed 260 kilometres super highway to preserve the endangered forests.
This is contained in a statement signed by Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, the HOMEF Executive Director, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Yenagoa.
The statement recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari conducted a ceremonial ground breaking on the route on Oct. 30, 2015.
It urged the Federal Government to re-route the super-highway along a less damaging path and away from community forests and the National Park.
The statement quoted the communities along the route as saying that the road would destroy the preserved forests and worsen the impact of climate change.
It noted that the project must comply with existing environmental laws, which included consultations with communities impacted by the proposed projects.
“We find it unacceptable that a project of this magnitude is pursued without regard to the law and in defiance of the rights of communities.
“Although the President conducted a ceremonial ground breaking exercise on Oct. 30, 2015, that cannot be construed to mean an approval for the project to proceed.
“Especially, if it does not meet the requirements of the law, particularly that of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
“Moreover as required by law, an EIA cannot be claimed to have been conducted if there are no consultations with citizens that would be impacted by the project,” The statement read in part.
It noted that there were fears that the project start-up may present a loophole for illegal logging, poaching and the destruction of habitats in the forests and reserves that were protected by law and preserved by custom.
According to the statement, embarking on the proposed highway project without requisite preliminary surveys, plans and approvals was questionable.
The HOMEF advised government to comply with the laws of the land by conducting an EIA, other relevant assessments and consultations as enshrined in ILO Article 169.
“The government should reward and support communities that protect our forests rather than penalise, dispossess, displace and impoverish them.
“HOMEF also calls on all peace-loving Nigerians and citizens of the world to join the call to rethink this project and work to preserve the tranquillity that has reigned in this forest.
“This tranquillity has existed before the threat of the bulldozers,” it said. (NAN)