Conservator-General seeks better infrastructure in parks around the country
The Conservator-General of the Federation, Tanko Abubakar, on Sunday during a visit to the Cross River State National Park, said inaccessible roads are responsible for the under-development of parks across the country.
Abubakar, while speaking in Akamkpa, said the problem frequently drives away prospective investors in the industry.
“There are no roads in many of the national parks across the country; so we need these roads repaired in order to attract investors into the industry,” he said.
According to him, the state National Park is the only forest left in the country. He stressed the need to conserve it as a national heritage and national resource.
Abubakar said necessary infrastructure should be in place to enable the Federal Government realise its commercialisation plans.
“In order for investors to invest in the parks as is being proposed by the Federal Government, there is need to improve the infrastructure in the parks. This is why we have insisted on partial commercialisation that will make for a successful privatisation.”
The Conservator said the management of the Nigerian National Park would build chalets at the Cross River State National Park for the comfort of tourists, adding that the National Park Service would be upgraded to paramilitary status, in order to make its operations better as well as enhance the workers welfare.
The Conservator of the park, Richard Effa lamented the intrusion on the park by the Support Zone Communities.
“This is more pronounced in the enclave communities; management has made concerted efforts to address the problem through dialogue with affected communities,” he said.
He said the park’s budgetary allocations for the past six years had been insufficient, which is responsible for the poor infrastructural development in the park.
Effa also complained of inadequate staff quarters for Rangers, lack of access road as well as inadequate patrol vehicles.
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