GONI RECEIVES IN AUDIENCE ORU MEDIA & ASSOCIATES, ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENTS …… Calls for synergy to improve services
Margaret Akpa Esq
The Conservator- General of the National park service (NPS) in Nigeria, Dr. Ibrahim Goni, on Wednesday received in audience, The Managing Partner of Oru Media & Associates, Environment Correspondents at Park Headquarters who came to pay congratulatory visit with his team
Mr Oru who was delighted on Goni’s second tenure thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing previous achievements of CG which led to his re-appointment for another 5years.
Responding, the CG the media has supported the Service and contributed immensely in propagating his activities during the last five years and called for continued support and contributions from the media.
He listed some of things that led to his success as training and stafff welfare just he disclosed that the service has generated 128,662,524.74 as revenue in three years and that their potential for recreation parks are exceedingly high, even though they are not properly harnessed to achieve the goals.
Goni said that private partnership initiative is accommodated in the new plan on the partial concession of the national parks by the Federal Government to provide recreational centres for citizens.
He noted that the move would improve tourist infrastructure, marketing and publicity for the parks. He further said the Service is ready to promote domestic tourism, ensure 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 need to upgrade infrastructure, and increase inclusion of indigenous people participation in park resources management,conservation and tourism.
Goni then called on stakeholders to synergise, synthesise for the sector to perform optimally and contribute substantially to the national economy.
On the protection of national parks, he mulls the establishment of paramilitary structure, in terms of development of quarter guard, parade team and the appointment of provost marshal and intelligence unit.
“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” he urged.
Members of the team include Comrade Ignatius Ushie, Chairman of the Cross River State Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) and Head Peak News Abuja Bureau, Mrs 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.
