BY CHUWANG DUNGS
Residents of communities within the Gumti National Park in Gashaka local government council of Taraba state, have commended Africa Nature Investors, (ANI) foundation for the successes recorded against insecurity in their communities.
Before ANI’s intervention, the communities within the park were notorious for kidnapping, illegal grazing, illegal mining and deforestation.
Yusuf Sadiq, a community leader, who spoke to Journalists in Gashaka attributed the improved security in the once crime ridden Gumti National Park communities to the strategic partnership with ANI.
“The criminals who used to make life difficult for us have all been chased out of the park by the rangers, who were trained by ANI. We now sleep with both eyes closed since ANI’s arrival in the Gashaka area.”
He said the foundation trained the park rangers and gave them equipment to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other illegal activities and “no doubt the criminal acts have declined.”
According to him, the partnership between the management of the Park and ANI have not only enhanced the safety and well-being of the local communities but have as well strengthened the relationship between them and the residents.
The conservator of the park, Joseph Ntui, also commended ANI’s impact, saying, “ANI has not only reduced our workloads but also assisted in training our rangers and equipping them with the needed tools to confront those undesirable elements that have in the past made the park their hideout.”
ANI’s Community Liaison Manager,
David Peter, who also spoke with our correspondent, highlighted the technical and financial support provided to the NPS, stressing that “the collaboration has led to a massive reduction in criminal activities in the park.”
He emphasised on the importance of continued government support in order to sustain the positive changes, he then appealed for greater involvement from the state government to complement the efforts of the park management.
The park is the largest National park in Nigeria, the total area covers about 6,402 Km. There are about 25 communities residing in the immediate surrounding of the park.
