Otti backs creation of south-east’s first national park in Abia

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has given a nod to the establishment of the first National Park in the South-east, to be sited in Abia State.

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The Governor gave the nod on Tuesday, 11 August, while receiving a delegation from the National Park Service, led by the Chairman of its Governing Council, in his office.

Governor Otti assured the delegation of the State Government’s full support for the initiative, describing it as timely. He noted that he had earlier in the day approved a request from the Commissioner for Environment for tracing and identifying forest reserves across the State.

According to the Governor, Abia has 19 forest reserves, 18 of which are currently available for consideration. This, he said, provides an opportunity to have at least one conservation area in each of the State’s 17 Local Government Areas.

“Coincidences just keep happening. Earlier this morning, I approved a request from the Honourable Commissioner for Environment for the tracing of forest reserves. Clearly, there is somewhere to start from,” Governor Otti said.

To drive the process, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Environment to work with the National Park Service and relevant experts to identify a suitable location for the proposed park. He stressed the importance of environmental conservation and the need to preserve the State’s natural resources.

The State Chief Executive further announced that the State Government would constitute a team, led by the Commissioner for Environment and involving climate change and environmental experts, to ensure the successful establishment of the park.

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“Nature is something you cannot do away with. Sometimes, when you think you have overcome nature through technology, nature will still rise. That is why conservation is very important,” Governor Otti stated.

The Governor thanked the National Park Service for the initiative and congratulated ACG. Ugochukwu Michael on his elevation to the rank of Assistant Conservator-General. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and protect the State’s natural heritage.

Remarks by National Park Service chairman

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Park Service, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, commended Governor Otti’s achievements in the last three years.

He said the visit was to remind the Governor of his earlier commitment to establishing a National Park in Abia State, noting that the absence of a National Park in the entire South-east has left the zone behind.

“The South-east has zero in having a national park. This is a glaring omission that must be corrected, and Abia State, under your leadership, is best positioned to pioneer this change,” Dr Ononogbu stated.

He added that establishing a park in Abia would create greater inclusion and career opportunities for the zone’s sons and daughters.

Beyond ecological value, Dr Ononogbu noted that the National Park would deliver immense socio-economic benefits to Abia State, including job creation, revenue generation, investment attraction, enhanced security, and crime reduction.

He requested that the Abia State Government identify a suitable forest or game reserve for upgrade to a National Park, constitute a committee to work with the Service, and forward a formal proposal for the establishment of the National Park to the Honourable Minister of Environment or the Conservator General of the National Park Service.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, and other members of the State Executive Council were present at the meeting.