News
NAZAP Lauds Wike On Planned Revamp Of PH Zoo …Urges Involvement Of Experts For Standard
Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks (NAZAP) has lauded Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on the government’s planned rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt Zoo to further enhance tourism potentials of the state.
The National President of the professional body, Francis Abioye who made the commendation in a statement in Owerri at the weekend described it as a welcome development to see the Port Harcourt Zoo come back to life through the determined effort of the Governor who had earmarked N472million for the rehabilitation of the Zoo.
“We must appreciate and congratulate the Governor for looking into the deplorable state of Port-Harcourt Zoo which has been neglected by successive Governments in the State thus creating bad image for us over decades, stating that any society that cares for helpless animals would definitely care for its citizens,” he said.
Abioye, however, advised the state government against contracting non experts for the execution of the project, saying that such move may encourage possible violation of standards should the Government fail to consult Wildlife experts during implementation.
The association also urged the state government to apply existing local and international laws which regulate the operations and establishment of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks to achieve the desired result, adding that any violation of conventional principles may attract both local and international sanctions from regulatory bodies during accreditation.
According to the President of the association, a letter jointly signed by the association’s National President Francis Abioye, the Secretary Prince Sakiru Raji and the PRO Vitalis Ortese has already been sent to the Governor stating the association’s input to the effort of the government to revamp the zoo.
“We hope that the Bureau for Public Procurement and Intelligence in River State will ensure that such projects are carried out by experienced conservation experts. It will be counterproductive if experts in conservation are not engaged in the project implementation. Engagement of experienced professionals will guarantee the execution of the approved project in line with new guidelines for 21st century Zoo. Any unprofessional work may deny River State Zoo accreditation soonest.
“The association seeks to properly guide the government on the dangers of carrying out the upgrade of a Zoo in the 21st century without a well profiled and experience experts. It could expose members of the public, tourists and Zoo staff to serious hazards.
“As a professional body, it is one of our mandates to institutionalize standards and enforce acceptable best practice among the operators of Zoos and Wildlife Parks in Nigeria.
“We also monitor Government policies as it affects Zoos and Wildlife facilities in Nigeria and provide professional guidance to the Government. Therefore, we strive to ensure that every Zoo and Wildlife facility in Nigeria operates with acceptable best practices.
“There are new guidelines enshrined by Federal Ministry of Environment with active involvement of NAZAP. There are also international laws guiding enclosure of wild animals in captivity to place the animals in an environment most suitable for their continuous survival”, the association said.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
?
?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
?
?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
?
?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
?
?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
?
?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
?
?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
?
?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
?
