The Senate, on Tuesday, approved the request of the President, Major General  Muhammadu Buhari (retd.),  to establish 10 new National Parks across the country.

The Senate resolution followed the consideration and approval of a motion on the National Park Declaration Order 22, sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir (APC-Sokoto).

Gobir explained that Buhari had written to the Senate on November 16, 2022, requesting the concurrence of the Senate to the National Park Declaration Order 2022, in consonance with Section 18 of the National Park Service Act 2004.

He said the national park declaration order seeks to establish 10 additional national parks based on due feasibility studies and environmental impact assessment in 12 selected forests and game reserves in various states of the federation.

He listed the parks to include the Alawa National Parks, (Niger State), Apoi National Park, (Bayelsa State), Edumenun National Park, (Bayelsa State), Galgore National Park, (Kano State), Hadejia Wetland National Park, (Jigawa State).

Others are Kempe National Park, (Kwara State), Kogo National Park (Kastina State) , Marhi National Park,(Nasarawa State), Oba Hill National Park,(Osun State) and the Pandam National Park, (Plateau State).

He said, “The establishment will address the fast rate of disappearance and degradation of Nigeria’s forest, achieve and develop adequate tourism infrastructure in line with international best practices.

“The establishments would help protect and preserve the biodiversity and natural heritage of Nigeria,” he said.