Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has officially supported the creation of the South-East region’s first national park. During a meeting in Umuahia with a delegation from the National Park Service headed by Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, the governor ordered the selection of an appropriate forest reserve for this development.
Governor Otti noted that the project fits into his current plans to map and protect Abia’s 19 forest reserves, 18 of which are currently viable options for the park. He instructed Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, the Commissioner for Environment, to collaborate with environmental specialists and the National Park Service to select an ideal site. Additionally, the governor plans to form a specialized team of climate and environmental experts to spearhead the initiative, emphasizing the vital role of natural conservation.
Dr. Ononogbu highlighted that the South-East is presently the only geopolitical zone in Nigeria lacking a national park. He encouraged the state to submit a formal proposal to the Minister of Environment to correct this oversight. According to Ononogbu, the project promises significant benefits, including job creation, increased tourism, economic growth, and enhanced regional security.
