According to an official, the European Union (EU) has contributed 1.5 million euros to the protection of the biodiversity in Cross River.
This was said on Saturday at a meeting between Governor Bassey Otu and EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Ms. Samuela Isopi. The meeting took place at Government House in Calabar.
As part of the union’s efforts to help wildlife conservation in the state by launching new infrastructure and interventions worth at 1.5 million euros, Isopi said the delegation was in Cross River.
Although it was the first visit in more than a decade, she acknowledged that the EU was honored to be a partner in the protection of the species in Cross River and was prepared to donate an extra 3.5 million euros to the endeavor.
The envoy claimed that by allocating more funds, illicit logging, poaching, and community support—even beyond gaming reserves—would be avoided.
“This initiative is geared towards sensitizing local communities on the protection of wildlife, promoting climate sustainability and biodiversity,” she stated.
In response, Otu said that since it was the first time in more than ten years, the visit was historic.
He praised the union for working with the state and supporting it, particularly in the fields of biodiversity and climate sustainability.