NCF sets to create 10 additional reserves

By Olayinka Olawale

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) says it plans to create 10 additional reserves under its Green Recovery Nigeria Project.

Mrs Folake Salawu, Coordinator, NCF Green Recovery Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, that the reserves would be located in different parts of the country.

Salawu said that the foundation would also partner with all national parks to ensure the conservation of biodiversity, including forest areas.

She also said that the foundation was currently working with stakeholders in identifying the additional areas for the project.

According to her, the NCF is also in negotiation with stakeholders on identifying the location of the additional 10 parks.

“Presently, we are partnering with all the national parks in Nigeria to ensure the conservation of biodiversity, including forest areas.

“We have a flagship conservation area in Lagos called the Lekki Conservation Centre and we are presently working with partners in Finima Nature Parks, Rivers State.

“We are also working with the national park in Omo River, in Ogun State and others across the country.

“We are in the process and our target is to create additional 10 reserves,” she said.

The coordinator said that NCF would work with all stakeholders across the six geo-political zones to identify where the reserves could be located.

“We will work with all stakeholders across the six geo-political zones to identify where these reserves can be and then collaborate with communities to achieve It.

“We are presently on course and we have one coming up shortly, the Gusape Reserve in Abuja.

“We already have support from the local communities, FCT government and the federal government. They have allocated a space for us.

“The good news is that we are already in the process of securing resources to kick-start the reserves.

“It is going to come on board as one of our 10 new parks and reserves that we will be coming up with as part of our green recovery plan.

“The Gusape Reserve will come on board this year,”she said. (NAN)