WRD: FGN Has Released Fund for The Purchase of National Park Service Helicopter- CG Goni

Maryam Aminu

The Conservator General, National Park Service, Ibrahim M. Goni appreciated the Federal government for approving the acquisition of a helicopter for the park service.

According to him,
“I am pleased to inform you that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the purchase of a helicopter for the National Park Service to enable the parks to closely monitor and protect the conservation areas of the country.”

Goni also stated that the service was exploring avenues to improve the protection of the parks by working on MoU with network providers especially MTN mobile service provider to communicate across distances in the parks.

He said: “apart from the helicopter, there are other technologies we use in monitoring our parks. We are relating with service providers, MTN Glo, Airtel and the rest of them wherever they are, and wherever the parks are. That will save us the problem of having to acquire our other communication equipment if we are able to sign the partnership with them.

Goni urged members of the public to support and encourage rangers to keep up the good work as they protect the critical ecosystem.

The CG hailed the supports made by individuals and organisations towards the park service, calling on well-meaning Nigerians to join in raising awareness of poaching activities within the National Parks and protected areas across Nigeria

Speaking, The Assistant Conservator General, ERM, Okediji A. Okeyoyin delivered a public lecture noting that world Ranger Day will also be a day to remember the many rangers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty while protecting national and state parks.

It is also a day to acknowledge and appreciate the critical role Rangers play in making our environment a better place to live in. The theme for this year’s celebration is “diversity”. Okeyoyin added

While delivering the lecture, the Assistant Conservator General disclosed some of the challenges be facing the park rangers.

“These challenges range from contending with poachers, loggers, miners, grazers, to trekking long distances, inadequate patrol vehicles, use of obsolete firearms, inadequate modern equipment and inadequate manpower.

“Records made available by the International Rangers Federation indicate that about 150 rangers had lost their lives in the line of duty from August 2020 to 30th July, 2021 across the globe and Nigeria accounts for 2 deaths out of this figure,’’ he said.

Speaking further, he enlisted some of the possible way forward to enhance rangers performance

“Park Rangers should be valued for their vital role at the front line of conservation by getting support from spirited individuals, corporate organisations as well as local and international NGOs. We must all Stand with Rangers.

Park Rangers, be provided with needed field equipment to have the ability to defend themselves in the event of any problem.
Park Rangers be provided with decent working conditions and a living wage that will encourage them to do more.
Park Rangers be provided with the skills and tools they need.
Park Rangers families and communities should have on-going support when Rangers are injured or killed in the line of duty.
Park Rangers be provided with insurance cover.”

World Ranger Day is celebrated around the world on July 31st each year on the anniversary of the founding of The International Ranger Federation (IRF) in collaboration with the Thin Green Line Foundation (TGLF) an organization that supports the work of rangers as the key protectors of parks and conservation.