The House of Representatives has approved the Presidential Declaration Order 2022, by designating 10 named Parks in some states of the federation with the status of National Parks.
The motion which was moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Peter Akpatason aligns with the provisions of Section 18 of the National Park Service Act.
Akpatason said President Muhammadu Buhari had communicated to them in writing requesting the concurrence of the House on the 10 New National Parks.
“In consonance with the provisions of Section 18 of the National Park Service Act, the President, communicated in writing requesting the concurrence of the House on the 10 New National Parks to wit;
(i) Subject to this Act, the President with the concurrence of the National Assembly, may by order published in the gazette –
(a) declare such areas in the Federation as he may deem fit as National Parks which shall be subject to the provisions of the Act; or,
(ii) An order made under Subsection (i) of this section shall –
(a) set out the situation limits of each National Park;
(b) specify the intern management policy for the National Park, and
(c) specify the classification of the “National Park”;
Aware that the Declaration Order, 2022 set out;
(a) the Declaration of new National Parks;
(b) name, situation and limits of the new National Park; and
(c) constitution of the National Parks Management Committee
Also aware that the ten new National Parks declared in the Order are:
(i) Allawa Game Reserve, Niger State;
(ii) Apoi Forest Reserve, Bayelsa State;
(iii) Edumenum Reserve, Bayelsa State;
(iv) Falgore Game Reserve Kano State;
(v) Baturiya Wetland game Reserve, Jigawa State;
(vi) Kampe Forest Reserve, Kwara State;
(vii) Kogo Forest Reserve, Katsina State;
(viii) Marhai Forest Reserve, Nasarawa State;
(ix) Oba Hill Forest Reserve, Osun State; and
(x) Pandam Forest Reserve, Plateau State,” the motion said.
In his reaction, Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu said that there was a need to revamp and harness the existing Parks and by extension, make necessary provisions for the new parks before converting them to National parks.
In another development, the Green Chamber also considered for second reading a Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education Act.
The bill which has been referred to the Committee on Basic Education also seeks to Enact the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education Act.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
