The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has said the Federal Government will procure more arms for effective operations of the National Park Service.

The minister disclosed this on Thursday when he paid an official visit to the headquarters of NPS and the National Biosafety Management Agency in Abuja.

Mr Lawal said President Bola Tinubu was concerned about the operations of the parks because of insecurity in the country.

The minister said that there was an ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies to rid forests of bandits, illegal miners and the coastal areas where oil theft takes place.

The NPS is statutorily responsible for the preservation, enhancement and protection of wild animals and plants and other vegetation in National Parks; and for matters connected therewith.

The minister charged the NBMA to be more proactive in its approaches and to engage more in research to curb the inflow of unwanted genetically modified foods.

“If you allow these genetically modified foods to come into the markets, there will be a very fierce war,” he said.

He commended the two agencies for their efforts and urged them to do more to keep up to their mandates.

Mr Lawal further tasked the agencies on team work, dedication and punctuality to duty at all times for effective discharge of their duties.

Earlier, Conservator-General of NPS, Dr Ibrahim Goni, appealed to the minister for upward review of their subvention.

Mr Goni also requested procurement of more arms to curb trans-banditry activities with Cameroon as well as commercialisation of three parks.

On her part, Director- General of NBMA, Dr Agnes Asagbra, appealed for the provision of bigger office space and more training for members of staff of the agency

She also requested machinery to fight environmental activities impeding on the agency’s operations.

Both agencies made elaborate presentations of their operations to the minister.

They also led the minister on a tour of NPS animal orphanage, Mini Park, museum and NBMA laboratory before he planted a tree to mark the visit.

(NAN)