The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) has donated 11 Land Cruiser vehicles to the National Park Service (NPS) to support wildlife conservation operations in the country’s new national parks.
Conservator-General of the NPS, Dr. Ibrahim Goni, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the pull-out ceremony of retired Assistant Conservator-General (ACG) Gabriel Agba.
Goni said the donation would facilitate the smooth take-off of operations in newly established parks and stabilise activities in existing ones.
“ACReSAL is doing a good job because they donated the vehicles to us. This donation is to enable the new National Parks take off and for the old National Parks to stabilise,” he said.
The Conservator-General added that ACReSAL had also constructed five new barracks and six of the newly established national parks, while rehabilitating four existing parks to enhance operations.
According to him, the organisation has further supported the Service through training of personnel on climate change mitigation, agroforestry, and Information Communication Technology (ICT), as well as the provision of ICT equipment.
Goni noted that the NPS remains one of the 15 armed-bearing organisations in Nigeria, yet continues to seek greater participation in national celebrations such as Independence Day.
He commended the retired ACG, Gabriel Agba, for his dedication and versatility during his years of service, wishing him a fulfilling retirement.
In his response, Agba expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve in an agency committed to protecting nature, and thanked NPS staff for their support throughout his career.