Otti backs proposed South-East first national park in Abia

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has given approval for the establishment of the first National Park in the South-East region, to be located within the state. During a meeting with a delegation from the National Park Service, Otti expressed the state government's full support for the initiative, stating it was timely. He also mentioned that he had approved a request from the Commissioner for Environment to trace and identify forest reserves across Abia State.

Otti emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and preserving the state's natural resources. He directed the Commissioner for Environment to collaborate with the National Park Service and experts to identify a suitable location for the proposed park. The state government will form a team, led by the Environment Commissioner and comprising climate change and environmental experts, to ensure the successful establishment of the park.

Otti stressed the ecological and socio-economic benefits of the National Park, such as job creation, revenue generation, and crime reduction. The National Park Service Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, commended Otti's commitment to the initiative and highlighted the state's absence of a National Park in the South-East, noting the importance of correcting this omission.

The Commissioner for Environment and other members of the State Executive Council were present during the meeting.