Just months after the Federal Government of Nigeria said 111 historical sites in the country would soon be declared National Monuments to serve as a major boost to the Nigerian tourism industry, the Nigerian Government has further announced it has commenced the process to partially commercialise up to 3 National parks to help increase government revenue.
According tp Nairametrics, the Conservator-General (CG) of the National Park Service (NPS), Dr Ibrahim Goni, disclosed this in a meeting with the Rotary Club of Maitama after they donated rangers’ kits.
The 3 National Parks are Gashaka-Gumti the largest national park in Nigeria, Kanji Lake national park, the country’s premier national park and Cross River national park.
READ: Africa: 111 historical sites in Nigeria to be declared as National Monuments to boost Tourism
According to Goni, the Cross River national park is one of the rainforest national parks, citing that the process would be a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
“With the public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement of our organization, we are going to open the parks for investors and entrepreneurs. “This will make them take some aspects of tourism and improve them, while the government retains the aspect of protecting the resources.”
He praised the Rotary club for its support of the service through the provision of the kits, urging them to continue to do more for the park. The club donated 45 pieces of rechargeable torches, mosquito nets, whistles, water bottles, 35 pieces of raincoats, rucksacks, and jackknives.
Former President of the club, Mr. Yusuf Ali, commended the park officials for their commitment to the park’s activities, he said: “We know that your job is risky and some of the items we have provided are to enhance your defence when you are in your games reserves. “You are playing major roles in preserving the games and that is why we decided to support you.”
Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed also announced that FG will set up a Tourism Academy in Lagos in partnership with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is currently working with some private sector players. The Minister added that the Academy will provide accessible vocational and managerial transformative training for the tourism and hospitality sector.
