NCP to decide on National Parks

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) headed by the Vice President Jonathan Goodluck GCON is looking into the various issues of privatization and commercialization of the National Parks in the country.

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The Council will take into consideration all the issues raised by stakeholders and those raised by the management of the Park Service.

Minister of Environment, John Odey, stated this in Abuja, Monday, when he took brief from the management unit of the National Park Service on the activities of the Service and how to rejuvenate the administration of the Parks.

The Minister said the decision of the Council would also take into consideration all the International Conventions and Treaties signed by Nigeria.

The Management team of the Park Service, in its brief, had raised observation on privatization of the National Parks.

The management is of the view that conservation of the National Park is a social venture, which cannot be privatised to generate profit and that investors would not maintain the Parks to the standard government would desire in line with the international standard.

They advised that eco-tourism and catering services are the component that can easily be privatised to complement the whole service of the National Park.

Nigeria’s Seven National Parks include Chad Basin National Park, Cross River National Park, Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Kainji Lake National Park, Old Oyo National Park, Kamuku National Park, Okomu National Park.

The Parks were established for the conservation of wildlife throughout Nigeria so that their diversity and abundance can be maintained at the optimum levels for the purpose of sustainable utilization for the benefit of the people.

The Park Service is also mandated to protect and maintain crucial wetlands and water catchment areas as well as preserve outstanding scenic, natural, scientific, recreational and other values in the Natural Parks.

 

Rotimi Ajayi

SA (Media)

February 2, 2009