Management of the National Parks Service (NPS) has reiterated the need for inter-governmental synergy for further conservation of the nation’s natural heritage and cultural edifices.
Conservator-General of the parks, Ibrahim Goni, who noted this during his advocacy visit to the FRSC Corps Marshal, DrBoboyeOyeyemi, in Abuja recently, said patronage by government institutions will go a long way in helping to develop the parks to acceptable global standards.
Goni said the patronage will also enhance the revenue drive of the parks, thereby, contributing to the country’s economy.
He said: “We are working to preserve and protect the nation’s natural heritage and the cultural edifices that memorialise them across generations, and if we don’t patronise them, they will go moribund.”
According to him, national parks enhance ecological processes and life support system such as soil regeneration, protection of nutrient cycles, cleansing and purifying hydrological cycles among others.
While noting that they have taken steps to eliminate drawbacks and enforce effectively the respect for ecological, geomorphologic and scientific features, he said the role of the parks included to protect theenvironment and indigenous genetic resources.
He, however disclosed that in Kenya, visitors pay 100 dollars to sight animals like gorillas, lions, hippopotamus etc, but in Nigeria the reverse is the case, saying, “Nigerians go abroad on vacations to visit other countries’ parks while we have same in the country. This must stop to reduce capital flight,’’ he stressed.
He urged the FRSC to use the parks’ facilities for their retreats and training of convoy pilots of the service.
Responding, Boboye commended the Federal Government for upgrading the National Park Service to paramilitary category, saying they believe in inter-agency cooperation.
“I want to assure you that from what you have seen today, if there is any area you need support, we will give you our maximum support. We will train your convoy and pilots. Whenever you are ready please let me know and we will organise it; we have trained about 25 convoys so far,” he said.
The FRSC boss said the two agencies would work together on the highway codes because drivers must know signs of animal paths and crosses.
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