Otti Backs South-East’s First National Park in Abia

Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has given his endorsement for the creation of the South-East's inaugural national park, directing officials to pinpoint a suitable forest reserve for the project. This approval came during a meeting with a delegation from the National Park Service, led by its Governing Council Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu.

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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 stated that the initiative aligns with his administration's commitment to identifying and preserving the state's forest reserves. He noted that Abia possesses 19 forest reserves, with 18 currently available for consideration across the state's 17 local government areas. "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," Otti remarked.

He instructed the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, to collaborate with the National Park Service and environmental experts to select an appropriate location. Otti also announced plans to assemble a team of climate change and environmental specialists to spearhead the project, underscoring the critical role of conservation in safeguarding the state's natural assets. "Nature is something you cannot do away with... That is why conservation is very important," he added.

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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.

Dr. Ononogbu highlighted that the South-East is the only geopolitical zone in Nigeria without a national park, calling it a "glaring omission" that Abia State is well-positioned to rectify. He outlined potential benefits, including job creation, revenue generation, investment attraction, tourism enhancement, and improved security. Ononogbu urged the state government to formally propose a suitable reserve to the relevant federal authorities.

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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.