Published Nov. 15, 2024
By Newspointer
African Nature Investors ANI, and NGo partnering with the National Park Service NPS, has raised alarm over the activities of illegal miners around Gashaka-Gumti National Park in Tongo Adamawa State.

The Executive director of the Foundation, Tunde Morakinyo raised the alarm during the commissioning of over 50 Houses for rangers at the national park’s outpost in Toungo local government area of Adamawa state.
The Executive Director said that, illegal mining has become the order of the day round the park, noting that their activities pose criminal threat, not just to the park but entire Communities housing the national park.

Morakinyo expressed worry that the miners activities if not tackle, may hamper the core aim of ANI in projecting the Park to be Africa tourist center.
He called on Federal and Adamawa State government to intensify effort by imposing a low to prohibit illegal mining to enable them serve the conservation purpose.

“We are not just protecting the parks for animals but for conservation of the people of the state. We need to make sure this park attract development in this part of the country for everyone to have a better livelihood” he said
“the aim of ANI in the area is to make Gashaka-Gumti National Park a magnet of development in Nigeria, even though it is facing a threat in the areas of illegal mining, lodging, farm encroachment and cattle grazing.

“The idea to establish the park outpost in the north is to tackle insecurity and create more jobs for youths within the park communities.
“For many years, the northern Gashaka-Gumti sector faced serious security challenges and there was no permanent rangers in the area. Being prompters of the national park, we went into partnership and agreed to build the Gumti outpost.
“The outpost houses over 50 rangers and support staff permanently here within the north of the park. The outpost has 24 hours electricity, with water all year round and 24 hours internet services. We are making sure that the park attract development in Nigeria. The executive director expressed.

Meanwhile, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal who was represented by the Conservator General, National Park Service, Ibrahim Musa Goni, assured Federal government readiness to support ANI in their operations to protect the conservation and wildlife not only in Taraba Adamawa but the nation at large since the initiative was targeted toward the growth of the natural heritage.
“let me commend ANI for Providing technical and financial support for the Services of Gashaka Gumti National Park with a view to enhance park protection, policing and management,” the minister noted.

Responding the Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, represented by the chairman Tongo local government council, Suleiman Ahmed Gangkuba, the Dangwari of Ganye chiefdom HRH, Alh. Umaru Adamu Sanda, both commended ANI for their commitment toward promoting nature for tourist attraction.


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