60% of Nigeria’s valuable forest lost, with remainder under threat – National Park Boss

According to Dr. Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service, deterioration has destroyed 60 percent of the country’s important forest land, and the bulk of those that remain are under threat.

Goni made the announcement on Saturday in Abuja during an interview with the Service Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ntuyang.

While paying a courtesy call on Sen. Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, in Abuja, the conservator-general reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to reversing the trend.

He reminded the senator of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent approval of 10 new national parks, two of which are located in the Niger Delta region.

“The region is significant to the Service because of its rich ecosystem diversity and rainforests, wetlands, mangroves, montane and derived savannah ecosystems, all of which have high conservation value but are now threatened.”

He expressed regret that the South-East is the only geopolitical zone in the country that lacks a National Park.

Goni emphasized that the Park Service is looking forward to strategic partnerships in protecting the country’s critical natural environment across all geopolitical zones.

Enang responded by calling for the establishment of more Niger Delta National Parks to help the region’s development.

He stated that establishing more National Parks in the region would not only benefit the region’s bio-diversity but would also have far-reaching implications for the region’s security situation, given the country’s current security challenges.

He specifically proposed establishing a National Park around Akwa-Ibom State’s Itu-Ini, Ikono, and Eastern Obolo areas, as well as the adjoining forest of Abia State’s Arochukwu-Ohafia area.

“This is to protect the forest belt, which is under serious threat.”

Enang, who promised to work with the Akwa-Ibom State government, stated that the proposed parks would allow people to enjoy the benefits of long-term conservation.

He also promised to work with the governments of Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, and Enugu States to help establish National Parks in the zone.

He thanked the Conservator-General for his visit and stated his office’s willingness to work with the National Park Service to protect these resources in the Niger Delta region.