Save us from land grabbers, Ogba Zoo cries to Edo government

AKHERE Godwin,Benin
The management of Ogba Zoological Garden and Natural Park in Edo State has raised alarm over massive encroachment by land grabbers on its host communities- namely, Utagban and Ogbaneki.
Chief Executive of the Zoo, Mr. Andy Enahire in an open letter addressed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole also decried the management’s handicaps in adequately carrying out its mandate, because according to him, they are operating under constant threats from the land speculators.
He noted that the encroachment problem has placed their personal safety and investments as eco-tourism developers under “very dangerous risks.”
Ehanire who specifically recalled an incursion into the zoo on June 18, 2015 regretted how “large tracts of pristine conservation project of the State, with high international acclaim were decimated with bulldozers.”
According to him, the speculators afterwards put up the zoo’s land for sale to unsuspecting members of the public, with fresh survey beacons.
“In the current circumstances, we want to again appeal for government protection of this priceless zoo forest which is the very last vestige of the once 53 Square Kilometers Ogba Forest Reserve.
“The massive investment in the Zoo’s infrastructure by the State government could become a colossal waste if the encroachment problem persists,” he added.
Continuing, the CEO urged the governor to institute a full scale formal inquiry into the repeated destructive incursions into the Zoo which he said has “led to serious loss of its ecological integrity.”
He further appealed to the governor to cause the Ministry of Lands and Survey to urgently carry out a fresh survey of the zoo’s land along with clear delineation of its boundaries and provide for full-time forest guards and protection for the facilities.