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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Environment & Climate

Otti backs proposed South-East first national park in Abia

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved the establishment of the first National Park in Nigeria's South-East zone.
  • The park will be located in Abia State, which has 19 forest reserves available for consideration.
  • The initiative aims to conserve forest reserves and preserve the state's natural resources, aligning with environmental sustainability goals.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has given his backing to establish the South-East's first National Park within the state. The governor announced his support on Tuesday while meeting with a delegation from the National Park Service.

The National Park initiative aligns with our ongoing efforts to trace and conserve Forest reserves in our state.

— Alex OttiGovernor of Abia State, explaining the synergy between the park initiative and state conservation efforts.

Otti assured the delegation of the state government's full support, calling the initiative "timely." He revealed that he had earlier approved a request to trace and identify forest reserves across Abia, noting that 18 of the state's 19 forest reserves are available for the project. "This provides an opportunity to have at least one conservation area in each of the state’s 17 Local Government Areas," he stated.

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

— Alex OttiGovernor of Abia State, detailing the potential scope for the new national park.

The governor directed the Commissioner for Environment to collaborate with the National Park Service and experts to select a suitable location. He emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and preserving natural resources, stating, "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."

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.

— Alex OttiGovernor of Abia State, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation.

The Chairman of the National Park Service Governing Board, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, highlighted that the South-East zone currently has no national park, calling it a "glaring omission." He commended Otti's achievements and reiterated the commitment to environmental sustainability and protecting the state's natural heritage.

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

— Dr. Kingsley OnonogbuChairman of the Governing Board of the National Park Service, highlighting the need for a park in the South-East.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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