Environment

National Park Service charges obsolete-CG

Published

7 years ago

May 15, 2019

National Park Service charges obsolete-CG

Agency Report

The Conservator-General, National Park Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, has stressed the need for rates charged by the service to be reviewed in line with the current realities in the country.

Goni made this known at the inauguration of a 10-men committee for the review of the National Park Service Tariff on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said “Regrettably, many of the rates charged for services rendered to the public in our National Parks do not reflect the current realities as most of our tariffs have become obsolete.

“It is imperative, therefore, to update these tariffs and identify new revenue bases for the service to contribute meaningfully to government’s efforts, hence the need for the constitution of this committee’’.

He said the committee is expected to take advantage of Information Communications Technology (ICT) to promote ease of doing business at in the national parks.“Take a cursory look at the following revenue sub-heads for possible review.

“Tenders fees, Earnings from guests house, Earnings from the use of Government vehicles, Earnings from Tourism/Culture/Arts/Centre/Park Entry fees, proceeds from Sales of Government Vehicles, Proceeds from Sales of Goods by Public Auctions.

“Rents on Government Properties, Earnings from Hire of Plants and Equipment and Earnings from the use of Government Hall amongst others.

“Your work should include a comprehensive appraisal of the various revenue generating activities, taking into consideration where we are coming from and where we want to be by developing a vision and setting attainable targets for all National Parks’’.

Goni said that with the dwindling fortunes from oil, government is now looking inwards for ways of cost reduction and how to revive the hitherto neglected sectors in a bid to diversify the economy.

“The Federal Government also considered it necessary to introduce policies to block revenue leakages.

“These policies include the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Remita e-collection gateway and also the introduction of Executive Order No.1 to ease doing business in Nigeria.

“All these are geared towards raising the revenue profile of the country and ensuring that revenues generated are properly harnessed and utilised for the development of our dear nation.

He however, revealed that the National Park Service has already started to introduce measures aimed at plugging leakages at its revenue points by adopting Information Communication Technology (ICT).

“We plan to deploy Point of Sale (PoS) machines to the various parks and revenue centres to ease revenue collection and accounting.”

The C-G however gave the committee up to August 15,to submit its report.

Alhaji Yakubu Kolo, the Assistant Conservator-General, Ecotourism and Chairman of the committee stressed the need for more funding for the operations of the Service.

He also called on the management of the park to introduce children’s playground at the park headquarters as a way of generating more revenue.

He, however, pledged full commitment of the committee members to accomplishing the task ahead of the committee.

“I want to assure you that all the members will work together to ensure that this tariff that is going to be reviewed will be to the benefit of the service and Nigeria at large.

“This is very key because we have to look inwards and ensure that all areas are covered and we will also look at the leakages and ways of blocking them,’’

Kolo said.Mr Martins Omole, the Conservator of Park, Finance and Budget, had earlier urged the committee to ensure that the objective of the inauguration is fully achieved.

“The committee comprised technocrats: so we believe that the committee will come up with a unified tariff.“That means that moving the revenue generation of the parks forward is in your hands,’’ Omole said.

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Environment

Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo: Taking the Spirit of Nigeria’s Climate Act to the Global Stage at COP30

Published

3 weeks ago

November 10, 2025

The Gleamer

By Gloria Ada Oguamanam

As the world converges in Belém, Brazil, for the highly anticipated COP30 Climate Conference scheduled from November 10 to 21, 2025, Nigeria stands once again at the forefront of global environmental discourse.

Among the nation’s delegation of eminent figures is Rt. Hon. Sam Ifeanyichukwu Onuigbo KJW, the acclaimed Father of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021, a title he has earned through years of relentless advocacy, legislative foresight, and consistent representation on the global stage.

The leader of the Nigerian delegation is Vice President Kashim Shettima. Rt. Hon. Onuigbo will be attending alongside Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, National Assembly members, climate change advocates, and several other experts. Together, they represent Nigeria’s renewed commitment to sustainable governance, clean energy transition, and climate resilience under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A Legacy of Commitment and Continuity:

Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo’s participation at COP30 reflects not only his personal dedication but also his ongoing role as a key custodian of Nigeria’s environmental vision. Over the years, his presence has been felt at numerous international climate forums, including COP21 (Paris, 2015), COP22 (Marrakesh, 2016), IRENA Assembly (Abu Dhabi, 2017) COP23 (Bonn, 2017), IRENA Assembly (Jan 2020), COP26 (Glasgow, 2021), COP27 (Sharm El-Sheikh, 2022), COP28 (Dubai, 2023), and COP29 (Baku, 2024), each representing a chapter in his unwavering mission to integrate legislative action with practical climate solutions. It was his pivotal sponsorship of the Climate Change Act 2021, signed into law on November 17, 2021, by late President Muhammadu Buhari, that institutionalized Nigeria’s climate governance framework, positioning the country as a continental leader in environmental policy.

The Act established a coordinated approach for emissions reduction, carbon management, and adaptation, with Rt. Hon. Onuigbo serving as its moral compass and policy anchor.

Presidential Reinforcement of Climate Governance:

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has further cemented Nigeria’s direction by activating and reinforcing key pillars of the Climate Change Act. The President’s recent actions included the approval of the National Carbon Market Framework, in line with Sections 4(i) and 4(j), the Operationalization of the Climate Change Fund consistent with Section 15 of the Act, and the reaffirmation of his authority as the Chairman of the National Council on Climate Change.

In addition, the administration has shown commitment to strengthening the institutional framework of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) through budgetary recognition and integration within the national fiscal planning process. This marks a significant step toward ensuring that climate governance is embedded within Nigeria’s economic and developmental agenda, promoting transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Through these decisive moves, President Tinubu has effectively stamped his seal of authority on the 2021 Climate Change Act, not as a formality, but as an operational strategy to elevate Nigeria’s climate response.

A Framework Rooted in the President’s 2023 Budget Vision:

In his November 2023 budget address, President Tinubu notably underscored the economic and development opportunities that can potentially be achieved while battling the devastating impacts of climate change. Early paragraphs of that address outlined his intent to “mainstream climate resilience into Nigeria’s fiscal planning while developing the nation’s carbon market infrastructure and promoting a green economy.” In three successive paragraphs, he declared:

“As we approach COP28 climate summit, a pivotal moment for global climate action, I have directed relevant government agencies to diligently work towards securing substantial funding commitments that will bolster Nigeria’s energy transition.”
“It is imperative that we seize this opportunity to attract international partnerships and investments that align with our national goals. I call upon our representatives to engage proactively to showcase the strides we have made in the quest to create an enabling environment for sustainable energy projects.”
“Together, we will strive for Nigeria to emerge from COP28 with tangible commitments, reinforcing our dedication to a future where energy is not only a catalyst for development but also a driver of environmental stewardship.”

In line with his commitment to climate action, after giving the above-referenced budget speech, President Tinubu personally attended COP28, where he exercised leadership by participating in many high-level meetings. His direct involvement added momentum to Nigeria’s successful participation in COP28.

Onuigbo as The Living Symbol of Nigeria’s Climate Mandate

As he prepares for COP30, Rt. Hon. Onuigbo’s presence embodies continuity, expertise, and moral conviction. His legislative stewardship transformed a once-abstract climate conversation into a living national framework. Over the years, he has not only participated in the making of climate policy but has lived as its advocate, bridging the gap between law, leadership, and lived impact.

In his recent interview with NTA Abuja, before heading out to Belém, Brazil, Rt. Hon. Onuigbo reaffirmed this same unwavering commitment to climate action and environmental protection. He emphasized the transformative impact of the Climate Change Act 2021 and its foundational and institutional provisions for the Nigerian Carbon Market Framework. He also highlighted the urgent environmental challenges facing his constituency, especially the severe erosion devastations in Obuohia-Ibere, Ikwuano and other badly threatened communities in Nigeria.

Speaking with empathy and conviction, he drew attention to the social and economic effects of these issues of loss of farmlands, displacement of families, and restricted community access, calling on government agencies to act decisively. He also restated his dual role as the Vice-President (Africa) of GLOBE International and his position as Senior Advisor with Climate Parliament, Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, positions through which he continues to champion collaboration, climate education, and policy implementation.

Above all, his message was clear: the time for urgent action is now, and Nigeria must continue to lead by example through accountability, inclusion, and sustained advocacy.
In a recent statement, Rt. Hon. Onuigbo had expressed optimism that Nigeria’s strengthened institutional structure under the current administration would “enable the nation to fully leverage global partnerships and domestic innovation for sustainable growth.” His attendance at COP30 thus symbolizes Nigeria’s unity of purpose, from legislative vision to executive implementation.

A Defining Moment for Nigeria and the World:

With global attention turning toward Brazil for COP30, Nigeria’s delegation carries both the weight of responsibility and the hope of transformation. Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo’s role as the Champion of the Climate Change Act reinforces Nigeria’s identity as a nation of resilience, intellect, and foresight one that recognizes the urgency of aligning governance with planetary well-being.

As the conference unfolds from November 10 to 21, 2025, Nigerians and the international community watch expectantly.

The convergence of the executive leadership under President Tinubu and legislative champions like Rt. Hon. Onuigbo offers a transparent, forward-looking framework for Nigeria’s climate future; one rooted not in rhetoric but in real, measurable action.

Indeed, this is not just another global summit; it is a continuum of Nigeria’s environmental journey, where policy, leadership, and destiny meet on the world stage.

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