IN a bid to maximise its tourist potentials, Enugu State Government has acquired 200 hectares of land at Attakwu in Enugu South local council to construct an open range zoo, which will be developed in conformity to all international conventions of animal conservation and environmental preservation.

The State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ozo Joe Mmamel, said the government was in hurry to develop the zoo even as he commended the Traditional Ruler and people of Attakwu community for their understanding and magnanimous display of enthusiasm for the project.

Ozo Mmamel who spoke to The Guardian, extolled the luxuriant vegetation and scenic beauty of the site, pointing out that the presence of a big lake comprising the Ukata and Ogbede lakes make the environment very suitable for the project.

The Commissioner noted that the project would be undertaken through a public private partnership arrangement, adding that the first steps involve the seclusion and protection of the site as well as construction of access road to the zoo.

He explained: “What we are trying to do there is not a caged zoo but an open range sanctuary. The animals would be watched from a distance yet it is not a wild life; it is different from a wild life. The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is presently scrapping the way to Attakwu leading to the exact site of the zoo.

“Expression of interest of Eco consultants as architects has been engaged to do the technical analysis. It shall be by PPP (Public Private Partnership) and the bids for the consultants to develop a master plan would be opened on September 26, 2013”.

Ozo Mmamel disclosed that already the design structure of the protection site is being done by the Ministry of Works, which is working on “what would be the best security fence so that the animals cannot escape; that is part of what the state is doing. It is our responsibility to secure the place”.

He said the government has tasked the consultants to ensure that the architectural design should be all encompassing adding, “we want to give it to the professionals to come out with the best design concept of all what should be found there, including social amenities and leisure spots to be run directly or through partners”.

His words: “The design will lead to raising the bill of quantities; we are in hurry especially now that the 200 hectares of land near the beach has been acquired. It would be a state of the art zoo and once we get it done international community will come in. So we want to reflect all conventions of animal conservation and environmental preservation”.

2013-09-17