SENATE APPROVES ESTABLISHMENT OF 10 ADDITIONAL NATIONAL PARKS Preservation of biodiversity and tourism development

SENATE APPROVES ESTABLISHMENT OF 10 ADDITIONAL NATIONAL PARKS

Preservation of biodiversity and  tourism development 

The Senate at Tuesday's plenary approved the establishment of 10 additional National Parks in the country.

This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Gobir Abdullahi on the National Park declaration Order 22. 

Presenting the motion, he recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the senate in November last year requesting the concurrence of the Senate to the National Park declaration Order, 2022 in consonance with section 18 of the National Park Service Act 2004.

He explained that the national park declaration order sought to establish 10 additional national parks based on due feasibility studies and environmental impact assessment in 12 selected forests and game reserves in various states of the federation.

He said the additional parks are necessary for the regulation of the use of Nigeria’s unique ecosystem and natural resources especially the fauna and the flora ecosystems.

“The establishment will address the fast rate of disappearance and degradation of Nigeria’s forest, achieve and develop adequate tourism infrastructure in line with international best practices,” he said.

He pointed out that the establishments would help protect and preserve the biodiversity and natural heritage of Nigeria.

The parks are

Alawa National Park, Niger State, 

Apoi National Park, Bayelsa State, 

Edumenum National Park, Bayelsa state

Galgore National Park, Kano State, 

Hadejia Wetland National Park, Jigawa State

Kempe National Park, Kwara State, 

Kogo National Park, Katsina State, 

Marhi National Park, Nassarawa State

Oba Hill National Park, Osun State, 

Pandam National Park, Plateau State.