Oru Media Commend Re-appointment of Conservator-General Of National Park
In its bid to regenerative and improve the services of the National Park for better performance, the reappointed Conservator-General of the National Park Service (NPS) in Nigeria, who got a second term, Dr Ibrahim Goni, recently received in audience, The Managing Partner of Oru Media & Associates, Mr. Oru Leonard, and Environment Correspondents at the Park Headquarters.
Mr Oru who said the reappointment was a testimony of good service and well deserved, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing the previous achievements of CG which led to his re-appointment for another 5years.
According to him, “we have come to let you know that, your re-appointment was as a result of the innovations, training and loyal service you rendered to your fatherland, Oru media is glad to associate
with you”.
In his response, the CG noted that the media has supported the Service and contributed immensely to propagating his activities during the last five years and called for continued support and contributions from the media adding that his love for the improvement of staff welfare through training and retraining led to his success.
On revenue generation, Goni said the service has generated N128,662,524.74 as revenue in three years and that their potential for recreation parks is exceedingly high, even though they are not properly harnessed to achieve the set goals.
According to him, the Private Public Partnership initiative (PPP) is accommodated in the new plan on the partial concession of the national parks by the Federal Government to provide recreational centres for citizens, adding that the move would improve tourist infrastructure, marketing and publicity for the parks. He further said the Service is ready to promote domestic tourism and ensure the safety of tourists and visitors to the parks.
The Conservator General explained that the parks would provide ecosystem services, with a rich variety of natural resources, capable of turning Nigeria into a major tourism destination in the world.
To achieve this, he said, there is a need to upgrade infrastructure and increase the inclusion of indigenous people’s participation in park resources management, conservation and tourism.
Responding to a question on the security of the National park, the CG said, he mulls the establishment of a paramilitary structure, in terms of the development of a quarter guard, parade team and the appointment of a provost marshal and intelligence unit.
According to him, “The major challenge is the issue of ineffective support from communities. We want the communities to accept ownership of the park resources rather than view the parks as government property”.
On the Oru Media team were Comrade Ignatius Ushie, Chairman of the Cross River State Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) and Abuja Bureau Chief- Peak News; Gift Olivia, MD/CEO Brookesphere Nigeria Limited and Publisher of The Sight News; Mr Emmanuel Daudu, Author and Publisher of Africa Security Investigation News; and Barrister Margaret Akpa of Akpa Margaret & Co. An Environment, Women and Children Rights Activist.
