Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has endorsed the proposed establishment of the first National Park in the South-East, with the facility to be located in Abia State.

Otti gave his support on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the National Park Service, led by the Chairman of its Governing Council, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, at his office.

The governor assured the delegation that his administration would give the initiative its full backing, describing the proposal as timely and consistent with the state’s efforts to conserve its natural resources.

He disclosed that he had earlier approved a request by the Commissioner for Environment to begin the tracing and identification of forest reserves across the state.

Otti said Abia has 19 forest reserves, 18 of which are currently available for consideration, creating an opportunity to establish 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,” he said.

The governor directed the Commissioner for Environment to collaborate with the National Park Service and relevant experts to identify an appropriate location for the proposed park.

He emphasised the importance of environmental conservation and protecting the state’s natural resources, noting that efforts to preserve nature remained essential despite advances in technology.

“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,” Otti stated.

To support the project, the governor said the state government would constitute a team led by the Commissioner for Environment, with climate change and environmental experts included, to work towards the successful establishment of the park.

Otti 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 programmes aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and protecting Abia’s natural heritage.

National Park Will Boost Jobs, Revenue — Ononogbu

Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Park Service, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, commended Otti for what he described as the achievements recorded by his administration over the past three years.

Ononogbu said the delegation visited the governor to remind him of his earlier commitment to establishing a National Park in Abia State.

He noted that the absence of any National Park in the South-East had left the region behind in this area, arguing that Abia was well positioned to pioneer a change.

“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,” Ononogbu stated.

According to him, establishing the park in Abia would promote greater inclusion while creating career opportunities for people from the South-East.

He added that the project would offer benefits beyond environmental conservation, including job creation, revenue generation, investment opportunities, improved security and reduced crime.

Ononogbu requested that the Abia State Government identify a suitable forest or game reserve for conversion into a National Park.

He also called for the establishment of a committee to work with the National Park Service and the submission of a formal proposal for the park to the 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 attended the meeting.