Partnership
By Abigael Joshua
The National Park Service (NPS) is to partner with the West African Conservation Network (WACN) to revive Kainji Lake National Park.
Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General (C-G) of NPS , made this known at the Inauguration of a Steering Committee in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said that the partnership focuses on strengthening anti-poaching efforts, conducting species surveys, protecting biodiversity, and supporting community development to revive Nigeria’s oldest national park.
Goni said the steering committee would focus on the sustainable management and development of kainji lake national park
“We are complying with the presidential directive to improve on public-private relationship so that at least we’ll bring in entrepreneurs to invest in what the government is doing, which is part of President Bola Tinubu’s presidential deliberations.
“Therefore, representatives of WACN, esteemed members of the steering committee, officers and men of the National Park Service, today marks not just the commencement of a project, but the strengthening of a partnership.
“Rooted in shared values, biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, research advancement, capacity building and ecotourism development,” the C-G said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee is made up of representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment, WACN, NPS and the Borgo Emirate Council, which is a local community in the area.
Mr Patrick Edwin, the Chief Executive Officer WACN has pledged to restore and bring back Kainji Lake National Park to a standard state.
“We will try our best to make sure that we deliver a very fruitful and promising relationship that would make both NPS and WACN and the larger Nigeria very happy.
NAN further reports that WACN, a non-profit organisation is focused on restoring and managing priority conservation landscapes in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, Dan Isan Borgu, said that the collaboration was a very good effort and assured that the community will work with the members of the committee.
He expressed satisfaction over efforts by the steering committee to ensure the conservation of the natural resources.
“The Emirate Council is happy with this collaboration and promise are to give our 100 per cent support,” Musa said.
NAN reports that the park which was established in 1976/1978, is a major conservation area in Nigeria’s Niger and Kwara covering 5, 341 km.
It consists of the Borgu and Zugurma sectors, which are vital habitats for savanna wildlife and endangered West African lions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
