Nipa Palms: ‘A Hidden Treasure for Sustainable Livelihoods in the Niger Delta’ -Amgbare

By Odie Ramon, Yenagoa.

Managing Director/CEO of Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Hon. Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has shed light on the immense value of Nipa palms in the Niger Delta Region, saying that these palms hold significant ecological importance and creative potential, particularly in enhancing livelihoods in coastal communities.

Speaking as chairman during the unveiling of a community-based non-governmental organization, Nature Sustainability Multipurpose Cooperative Society, at the National Museum, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday, Hon. Prince Amgbare said utilization of Nipa palms for craft-making was indeed a hidden treasure for sustainable livelihoods in the region, noting that with their versatility, Nipa palms provide various products essential for everyday living, such as food, shelter, and handicrafts.

While highlighting some of the ecological benefits of Nipa palms, such as preventing erosion and shoreline stabilization, the NDBDA boss pointed out that their rapid spread, facilitated by human activities like unsustainable logging and oil pollution, poses a threat to mangrove forests in the Niger Delta.

The Managing Director/CEO, who was represented by the Head of the Department of Hydrology & Blue Economy, Engr. Odes Solomon Sakawi said Nipa palm crafts offer a unique and sustainable opportunity for local artisans to create beautiful and functional products for tourists and environmentally conscious consumers.

He commended Andoni youths for their innovative use of the invasive Nipa palm to create handmade products such as bags, baskets, shoes, and hats, pointing out that the initiative has showcased the potential of the youths to meaningfully engage in sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation in the Niger Delta region.

“By promoting crafts production from these invasive Nipa palms, coastal communities across the Niger Delta can preserve their rich cultural heritage, as well as contribute to environmental conservation. The ecological significance of the Nipa palm also highlights the importance of conserving and sustainably managing this vital species to maintain the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems. These invasive Nipa palms, which are in abundance in coastal areas of the Niger Delta, offer numerous opportunities for blue economy initiatives. 

“Initiatives like this can contribute to the growth of blue economy in the Niger Delta region, promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Nature Sustainability Multipurpose Cooperative Society’s initiative has showcased our youths’ creativity in utilizing invasive species that are in abundance across coastal communities in the Niger Delta region to produce various handmade products,” Hon. Amgbare reiterated. 

In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Joseph Onoja, represented by Mr. Shittu Usman, stressed the need for the leadership and members of the Andoni Nature Sustainability Multipurpose Cooperative Society to work hard to sustain the good works done by NCF in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Hon. Commissioner, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Engr. Victor Kii, represented by the Director of Forestry, Mrs. Nkem Odoya, expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with the newly established Andoni Nature Sustainability Multipurpose Cooperative Society in the development of the blue initiatives.

On his part, the board chairman, of BRACED Tourism Promotion &  Development Initiative (BTPDI) and immediate past Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism, Dr.  Piriye Kiyaramo hinted that the global market value for art and craft materials stood at $20.96 billion in 2022 with a projected growth rate of $30.89 billion by 2030.

According to Dr. Kiyaramo, who also doubles as the National Publicity Secretary of the oldest multi-sectorial tourism trade body in Nigeria, the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN): “Beyond Nipa Palms’ vital ecological role, it has emerged as a treasure trove of creative possibilities with the potential of empowering local artisans with unique, sustainable and income- generating craft-making opportunities in coastal communities in the Niger Delta region.”

The revered King of Ataba Kingdom, Sir (Dr.) Benson M. Egwenre (King Oruk XVII), while unveiling the plaque of Andoni Nature Sustainability Multipurpose Cooperative Society, expressed great delight and pride in the Andoni youths’ innovative use of invasive Nipa palm species to create various handmade products. 

Sir Benson M Egwenre said he was elated seeing the handmade handicrafts from Nipa palms, including beautifully crafted bags, hats, baskets, shoes, and other unique souvenirs, which he also purchased as his way of patronizing and encouraging the youths to do more. The king’s endorsement underscored the potential of sustainable practices and community-led initiatives in promoting socio-economic growth and environmental conservation in the region.

In his introductory remarks, Executive Director, SAFE-i, and President/Founder of the Andoni-based Nature Sustainability Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Chief Gogo Abel Uijle said the cooperative Society was intended to pull many rural people out of poverty through the sustainable utilization of marine resources such as the invasive Nipa palm which is a common species found along the coast of the Niger Delta region. 

According to Chief Uijle, the Andoni-based cooperative Society would extend its campaign of sustainable livelihood endeavors to fishermen, periwinkle farmers, fish sellers, firewood dealers, and hunters in the area, informing that the co-operative’s main objective is to synergize with governments, companies, corporate bodies, institutions, and communities to enhance sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities while doing due diligence to environmental stewardship and conservation of biodiversity.

“SAFE-i, in partnership with Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), supported by the Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation (ACT), embarked on a groundbreaking initiative in Andoni, Rivers State, titled “Enhancing Sustainable Climate Adaptation and Sustainability in Selected Vulnerable Coastal Communities in Nigeria,” to promote sustainable livelihoods while protecting the mangrove ecosystem.

“A total of 120 rural community members from Andoni’s seven administrative districts (Ngo, Agwut-Oboko, Okwan-ajah, Unyeada, Asarama, Isi-Okwan, and Ataba) have undergone the training on Nypa palm utilization, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria.

“Nature Sustainability Multipurpose Cooperative Society is a community-based cooperative with membership spanning across the entire Andoni Local Government Area, under the oversight of HRM, Sir (Dr.) Benson M. Egwenre JP, (King Oruk XVII), Okaan-Ama of Ataba Kingdom,” Chief Uijle explained. 

It will be recalled that as a key player in the development of the Niger Delta region, the NDBDA is mandated to promote sustainable use and management of water resources, enhance agricultural productivity, and support socio-economic development.