Edo moves to reclaim encroached Zoo property

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has set up a five-man committee headed by the Solicitor General of the state, Mr Wole Iyamu, to reclaim the property of Ogba Zoological Garden and Natural Park, which houses rare species of plants and animals. Obaseki said, “I am setting up a committee with a two-week mandate to come […]

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has set up a five-man committee headed by the Solicitor General of the state, Mr Wole Iyamu, to reclaim the property of Ogba Zoological Garden and Natural Park, which houses rare species of plants and animals.

Obaseki said, “I am setting up a committee with a two-week mandate to come up with an action plan to recover every land due to Ogba Zoo.”  

He stated this in Benin when he received the zoo’s management team led by Professor Emmanuel Emovon, a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, John Mayaki, said. 

He noted that the zoo was part of Edo’s heritage hence everything would be done to protect it from encroachers, no matter how highly placed such people were in the society.

The governor said: “Because of our new trust in making Edo State and Benin City an attractive hub for business and tourism, we will do everything possible to preserve this unique heritage of ours.”

He urged the committee to submit its report on July 3rd and that the report should be more of action and steps to be taken so that violators would be prosecuted if need be. 

Earlier, Prof Emovon said the visit was necessary as it is important to take necessary steps to protect the zoo and ensure it survived.