– Approves purchase of helicopter for service
Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Minister of Environment, Mr. Muhammed Abdullahi has launched the National Park Service, NPS, 2022, regulations document as part of the government efforts to enhance the NPS, service delivery.
The launching in Abuja was part of events to commemorate the 2022 World Rangers Day.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the acquisition of an helicopter for National Park Service, NPS, for the promotion and protection of the country’s Parks.
The Conservator General of National Parks Service, Dr. Ibrahim Goni stated this at a Press briefing in Abuja the nation’s capital on the occasion of the 2022 World Ranger Day.
According to the Minister “This framework is key to our getting support from our Armed Forces. It’s on this note that i invite them to join me to launch this regulation, we believed that we are almost reaching there as parts of the condition given to us by the Nigerian Armed forces we have the gazette we have the regulations which essentially guide how the Nigerian Parks Service and the Rangers conduct the activities, in the course of their duties. It also regulates how we handle Firearms within the Service, and it also provides for that synergy and supervision and capacity development by regular Armed Forces.” The Minister explained.
He noted the difficult task of protecting the country’s diverse ecosystems such as Forest Reserves, Game Reserves, Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, amongst others which are very critical to the safety and general wellbeing of every Nigerian.
“Their activities are crucial to achieving the United Nations SDGs, in a bid to carry out the onerous tasks of Park protection and policing, Park Rangers are often confronted with numerous challenges and thereby, face the risk of being maimed or pay the supreme price to protect nature. available records from the Service show high incidents of such terrible attacks. a total number of seventeen (17) Park Rangers fell victims to homicide between 2020 and 2021 while several others have also been maimed.” He stated.
Abdullahi further said that the government is not resting on its efforts in putting, appropriate measures to assist the National Park Service and the Rangers in the course of carrying out their duties.
“In an attempt to ameliorate the challenges confronting Park Rangers and also mitigating the negative effects of climate change, government is doing quite a lot in this regard. Some of the interventions so far include improvement in the budgetary allocations to the Service, acquisition of more sophisticated arms, acquisition of modern conservation equipment such as drones, cyber trackers, SMARTs, etc to assist in surveillance and efficient data collection, enhancing capacities of officers & men through regular paramilitary training with the support of the military & other relevant paramilitary agencies.” The Minister added.
The Conservator General, National Parks Service, Dr. Ibrahim Goni said the document was produce to enhance the performance of Park Rangers and facilitate their effective protection of Parks’ resources.
He note that there is need to recognize, and support the good work of Rangers protecting the country’s wildlife and wild places, in their contribution to the mitigation of climate change effect.
“You will agree with me that this world wouldn’t have been a better place to live in, but for the critical and laudable work Park Rangers do across the globe. They work tirelessly and risk their lives and even some had to pay the supreme price to ensure that this all-important heritage is adequately protected and conserved for intergenerational equity.” Dr Goni stated.
President International Ranger Federation, Mr. Chris Galliers, said there is much to be done to increase support and improve the welfare and safety of rangers, as outlined in the Chitwan Declaration and the subsequent URSA Action Plan.
He stressed that this will only be through a united sector to effect the needed change where rangers are recognised and treated as professionals globally.
“If we are to be successful in tackling the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, we need to draw on all the skills and knowledge available. These include a ranger workforce that is more inclusive, for example of gender, culture and age of rangers. By achieving this we will also address another concern, do we have enough members of the next generation looking to become rangers.” Mr. Galliers added.
Meanwhile, Goni said acquisition of the helicopter would help the National Park Service to carry out its mandates effectively.
Dr. Goni also noted that the NPS would not relent in its efforts in using technologies in monitoring the activities of the National Parks Service across the country.
“We are collaborating with telecommunication service providers, in the country to acquire communication equipment to help safeguard the country’s National Parks, and for easy communication as this would help us cover some areas of our parks, particularly MTN.” Dr. Goni explained.
He added that the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, are also helping in training the Park Rangers to improve their skills, while also providing adequate security for the National Parks across the country.
The Assistant Conservator General, Mr. Okedeji Okeyoyin, while highlighting some of the significance of World Ranger Day, said Park Rangers should be valued for their vital role at the front line of conservation by getting support from individuals, corporate organisations as well as local and international NGOs.
He also noted that Park Rangers, be provided with needed field equipment to have the ability to defend themselves in the event of any problem.
“Parks Rangers should be provided with decent working conditions and a living wage that will encourage them to do more, Park Rangers families and communities should have on-going support when Rangers are injured or killed in the line of duty, with insurance cover.”He added.
Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr, Joseph Onoja, said the organisation would continue to partner and support the NPS, to ensure that the country’s protected areas are well protected.
He added that the organisation understands the role and the importance of NPS, in protecting the Country’s Natural heritage.
