Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has inaugurated a 18-man technical committee to supervise the transition of the Marhai Forest Reserve in Wamba Local Government Area, into a national park.
Governor Sule performed the inauguration ceremony at the Government House, on Wednesday.
The Governor reiterated the determination of his administration to make the tourism sub-sector not only a priority but to enable it serve as a revenue earner for the state and also a big employment source for Nasarawa State.
He emphasized that his administration will continue to attract private investors to invest in the state through attractive incentives, to facilitate the full exploitation of the state’s potentials for the benefit of the society.
READ ALSO: http://2023: High number of aspirants shows APC remains party to beat – Nasarawa gov.
According to Engineer Sule, tourism has become one of the most important tools for economic and sustainable growth in various countries of the world, considering the fact that it has moved from being a luxury and leisure enterprise, to a model of development and diversification, where most nations have adopted for sustainability and job creation.
He equally identified tourism as a tool for bridging the communication and cultural gaps as well as means of dessimination of the values of tolerance and openness.
“It is imperative to state that, here in Nasarawa State, we are highly endowed with tourism resources and other natural endowments in the area of agriculture, solid minerals subsectors.
“These resources have placed Nasarawa State at a very strategic advantage as a tourists receiving destination, in view of our proximity to the FCT,” he stated.
In this regards, the Governor announced that his administration has commenced the development of the Shabu recreational garden in Lafia, as well as the Peperuwa Lake in Lafia East Development Area, which has been acquired and is being demarcated for eventual development as a tourists resort.
While appreciating the Federal Government, as well as the office of the Conservator General for taking over and upgrading the Marhai Forest Reserve into a national park, Engineer Sule, charged members of the technical committee to leave above board and justify government confidence reposed in them.
READ ALSO: http://IGP Alkali Baba orders promotion of policemen on same rank since 2017
He explained that members of the committee were selected based on their records of doggedness, experience, commitment, dedication and hard work.
In a remark, representative of the Conservator General, Dr. Okedeji Agboola, thanked the Governor for taking the initiative to inaugurate the technical transition committee, to steer the handing and taking over the Marhai national park.
The CG described the event as not only apt but important to both Nasarawa State and the nation at large.
He particularly commended Engineer Sule for being the first to inaugurate the technical committee, out of the 10 newly established national parks. He doffed his hat for the Governor for his doggedness and proactiveness.
Tracing the journey leading to the establishment of the new national parks to 1992, the CG said the effort by the FG is a clear indication of the country’s commitment and resolve to further enhance conservation activities, increase amount of forest cover, improve internal security and ultimately review the negative effect of climate change, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as enhance socioeconomic development of the country.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the members, Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee and state Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon Yakubu Kwanta, described the event as a great milestone in the history of the state.
Hon Kwanta particular thanked the Governor for the rigorous efforts to attract federal presence to the state, with only Wamba Local Government Area now enjoying the ongoing construction of the Farin-Ruwa Dam and now the Marhai national park, amongst others.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, in November 2020, approved the establishment of 10 additional national parks to the existing 7 in the country, among which is Marhai Forest Reserve.