Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced plans for the establishment of the first National Park in the South-East, with the proposed conservation area to be located in the state. Otti disclosed this in a post on his official X account on Wednesday after receiving a delegation from the National……
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced plans for the establishment of the first National Park in the South-East, with the proposed conservation area to be located in the state.
Otti disclosed this in a post on his official X account on Wednesday after receiving a delegation from the National Park Service (NPS), led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, and the Conservator-General, Dr Ibrahim Goni.
The governor said the proposed project aligns with his administration’s efforts to identify and conserve the state’s forest reserves, noting that 18 of Abia’s 19 forest reserves are available for consideration.
He said the broader objective was to ensure that every one of the state’s 17 local government areas has at least one conservation area.
Otti said he had directed the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, to work with the National Park Service and environmental experts to identify a suitable location for the proposed park.
According to him, a dedicated team will also be established to coordinate the process and ensure the successful development of the project.
The governor stressed the importance of environmental conservation, saying nature remains an essential part of human existence despite advances in technology.
“Nature is something we cannot do away with. Sometimes, when we think we have overcome nature through technology, nature will still rise. That is why conservation is very important,” Otti said.
He said the proposed National Park would provide benefits beyond environmental protection, including employment, investment, revenue generation, tourism and improved security.
Otti also noted that the initiative would address the longstanding absence of a National Park in the South-East, describing the National Park Service’s proposal as an important development for the region.
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 reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability, conservation of the state’s natural heritage and initiatives capable of creating lasting opportunities for residents of Abia and the wider South-East.
News Credit to our media partner TVC News .
