National Park Service seeks partnership with tourism stakeholders

By Okorie UGURU

THE Conservator General of the Nigerian National Park Service,  Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, has called  for greater co-operation between his organization and stakeholders in the tourism sector.

Goni made the call when he hosted some stakeholders in the tourism industry in his office in Abuja.

Among the tourism stakeholders who visited NPS boss   were:   Chairman of the Calabar Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah; the organiser of the annual Akwaaba International Travel Fair, Lagos and publisher of ATQ news, Mr. Ikechi Uko;  the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Events, Mr. Ken Aklah and the President of the National Association of Tour Operator, Hajia Bilkisu Abdul.

Goni expressed  his unhappy that  NPS was  not being promoted as part of the national tourism asset and also as part of the package for the annual Carnival Calabar despite the fact that  Cross River State’s  National Park boasts of  the only habitation for lowland gorillas in Nigeria, and the tropical rainforest environment.

Goni made a case for the involvement of the NPS  in the foremost international travel fair in West African, the Akwaaba Travel Fair. He said it was imperative  since the park service had been part of the fair for many years.

He said: “We have moved from the old style of conservation and protection of our parks.  We are now a modern service with the latest technology in all our parks.

“Our parks are Wifi enabled. We are now a paramilitary organisation and want professionals in tourism to work with us.  We reached to you because you are our partners.  We have worked with you and will want to renew our relationship.”

Mr. Gabe Onah  promised that the park will be  part of the third dry run of Carnival Calabar on December 15.

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He said there will also be a full day tour of the National Park, Cross River as part of its offering. He also promised to deepen the relationship with the services.

Akwaaba Organiser,Mr. Ikechi  Uko said  the National Park Services was missed at Akwaaba for the past four years and will re-engage with them for future events.

On her on part, NATOP President, Hajia Bilkisu promised to brief her members on the proposal by the NPS and that the association would officially engage with the parks services.