By Obiabin Onukwugha
Facts have emerged on how the Enugu State government converted its prestigious zoo to a luxurious estate, thereby driving many animal species into extinction.
Located in the heart of the Coal City, as Enugu is fondly called, the zoological garden was 1.72 miles away from the government house and right behind the old governor’s lodge.
It was gathered that the zoo used to be one of the green areas in the state capital, and also shares a fence with the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army barracks and is surrounded by posh residential estates. Hence, all eyes were on the massive land with rich rainforests.
However, about two decades ago the administration of Chimaroke Nnamani moved to destroy the zoo, paving way for real estate development.
An investigation published by The Cable on Friday, December 27, 22024, revealed that the estate has now been developed as Government Reserved Area (GRA), providing residence for only top government officials, political office holders and influential personalities.
The report quoted a former worker who demanded anonymity that the animals were relocated to Nsukka, a university town, while the forests were cleared, and the land was transformed into an upscale estate.
“Then, the government began to allocate the land to some of its top officials and wealthy people in the state. They were the ones who could afford the cost of the land. It’s within the Government Reserved Area (GRA). Initially, it was called Zoo Estate. But it was later renamed Ekulu East Estate so that it would no longer be associated with the former zoo,” The Cable report quoted the official as saying.
The Cable investigations showed that Peter Mbah, the current Enugu state governor, has a property in the alluring estate. Mbah was chief of staff and later commissioner for finance under Chimaroke Nnamani, a former governor of the state. During Nnamani’s administration, the zoo was shut down and transformed into a utopia for the elites.
The report also quoted Dan Nwomeh, senior special assistant on media to the governor, as querying in a chat; “Is there anything wrong with owning a property in the estate?
The former zoo was converted into an estate and allocated in the first tenure of the administration while he served in the second tenure.”
Related Posts
The report continued: “In an old online listing by a realtor, a property close to a building reportedly owned by a former governor of the state, was put at N170 million ($114,000).
Another property in the estate was advertised for N250 million ($167,000). One was listed for N2 billion ($1.3 million) in 2021. One thing that stands out in the advertisement of properties in the estate is the phrase, “The most expensive estate in Enugu”. In addition, the estate boasts a police post.”
It also stated that a tour of the large and quiet estate shows nothing left of the zoo after its conversion about two decades ago. The cages and wildlife sanctuaries have been replaced with luxury homes and hotels.
“Two signboards at the front of the estate warn visitors to beware of their activities. Stern-looking security officers only let visitors enter the area with proper identification. A tour of the large and quiet estate shows nothing left of the zoo after its conversion about two decades ago. The cages and wildlife sanctuaries have been replaced with luxury homes and hotels.
“To immortalise the former occupants of the estate, streets were named after animals whose natural habitats were destroyed to create room for humans to build theirs. From the Ogui roundabout, you can access the estate through Peacock Drive. Then, you move to Lion Avenue, Tiger Street, Eagle Street, Flamingo Street, Leopard Street, Crown Bird Street, Zebra Close, Giraffe Street, Fox Street, Dolphin Street, and Penguin Close,” the report further stated.
It quoted residents of the area of lamenting the negative impact of destroying the zoo, as it served as a learning and recreational centre for younger generations and researchers.
“We don’t see wild animals except in books and on television. The only opportunity we had then to see those animals was to visit the zoo. There was no zoo in Warri; the closest we had then was Benin, and it was not on our way home. So, we used every opportunity to come home to visit the Enugu Zoo.
“It was sad. I miss the old zoo. We are unfair to this young generation, depriving them of everything nature offers us. Now, we lock them up to watch movies at home. They only have their gadgets. Many have grown to be adults without seeing a live wild animal,” 48-year-old Igboke recalled with an enchanting smile was also quoted as saying.
The report added that, following the winding up of the Enugu zoo, wildlife lovers in the south-east had no other option than to travel miles to the Imo State Zoological Garden and Wildlife Park, the last surviving zoo in the zone. The park became the primary hub for recreation, education, and research.
Regrettably, the zoo in Owerri, Imo State is currently being converted for purposes yet to be ascertained as it has been fenced while construction work is ongoing. END
