Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has endorsed the proposed establishment of the first National Park in the South-East, with Abia State set to host the project.

Otti gave his approval 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 the state government would give the initiative its full support, describing the proposal as timely and consistent with ongoing efforts to conserve Abia’s natural resources.

He disclosed that he had earlier approved a request from the Commissioner for Environment to trace and identify forest reserves across the state.

“The National Park initiative aligns with our ongoing efforts to trace and conserve Forest reserves in our state,” Otti said.

According to the governor, Abia has 19 forest reserves, with 18 currently available for consideration. He said this creates 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 added.

To facilitate the project, Otti directed the Commissioner for Environment to collaborate with the National Park Service and relevant experts in identifying an appropriate location for the proposed park.

He stressed the importance of environmental conservation and the need to protect the state's natural resources for future generations.

The governor also announced plans to constitute a team, led by the Commissioner for Environment and involving climate change and environmental experts, to support the establishment of the park.

“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.

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 reiterated his administration's commitment to initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and protect Abia's natural heritage.

Earlier, Ononogbu commended the achievements recorded by the Otti administration over the past three years.

He explained that the delegation's visit was partly to remind the governor of his earlier commitment to establishing a National Park in Abia, stressing that the absence of a National Park in the entire South-East had placed the region at a disadvantage.

“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 said.

He noted that the establishment of the park in Abia would promote greater inclusion and create career opportunities for people from the South-East.

Beyond environmental conservation, Ononogbu said the proposed park could generate significant socio-economic benefits for Abia, including employment, revenue generation, investment opportunities, improved security and crime reduction.

He therefore requested that the state government identify an appropriate forest or game reserve that could be upgraded into a National Park.

He also urged the government to establish a committee to work with the National Park Service and submit a formal proposal for the park's establishment 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 Abia State Executive Council attended the meeting.