Environment C’ttee Recommends 2% Increase In Ecological Fund To States

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By Olusegun Emmanuel, Abuja.
The Conference Committee on Environment has recommended  two-percent increase in Ecological Fund allocation to states of the federation.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja Wednesday, the Chairman of the Committee Florence Ita-Giwa said that  the increase became necessary in view of the expanding cost of battling ecological issues in several states partially brought about by global climatic changes.

Ita-Giwa explained  that the two per cent increase  would bring the total Ecological Fund allocation to five percent would still be like a drop in the ocean of needs.

Also , the Committee, in its final report, suggested the establishment of an environmental court nationwide specifically tasked with the trial of individuals, groups and organizations responsible for environmental pollution.

The chairman said such a court would be opened to hear cases involving gas flaring, desertification, erosion and oil spillage that have completely damaged the environment across the country.

The chairman of the committee who hailed from Bakasi in Cross Rivers state informed journalists that the committee recommended that compensation should be paid to the displaced Bakassi people over loss of oil funds and aquatic wealth.