Cross River National Park receive 30 motorcycles from EU to monitor illegal minings, deforestation
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The motorcycles donated by the EU
By Akpan David, Calabar
The Cross River National Park, (CRNP), have received 30 motorcycles complete with helmets, four laptop computers and four printers from the European Union, (EU), to help in their monitoring of illegal minings and plundering of forest resources within the Park.
In recent times, there have been massive illegal mining and wood logging activities inside the protected Park spanning some local government areas of the state.
Conservator of Parks in the state, Mrs Caroline Olory received the donations on behalf of the Conservator General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni and commended the EU for their supports and funding.
She said the donation will facilitate and encourage effective monitoring of the Parks.
“These motorcycles will be very helpful to our forest rangers in monitoring and curbing activities of illegal miners and others who plunder forest resources.
“Much of the 105 communities inside the Park which have rugged terrains will be accessed.
Conservator of Parks, Mrs Caroline Olory, second from right, received the items on behalf of the Conservator General, National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni
“We’re committed to protecting the CRNP which is the last remaining tropical rainforest in the country. It is the richest of the 25 Biodiversity hotspots. It was recently declared Forests Biosphere Reserve.
“For EU taking this step shows the recognition accorded the CRNP. We encourage all to help in protecting and sustaining this unique and rich Park for the next 50 years and beyond for sake of our future generations.”.
Country director of the WCS, Andrew Dunn, represented by his deputy, Dr Imong Inayom presented the donations at the Headquarters of the Park in Akamkpa LGA.
He said the equipment came under EU Support for the Preservation of Forest Ecosystems in Cross River State (PREFEC) and were worth N40.5 million.
“These are to help in forest preservation, management and protection of ecosystems in the Cross River National Park, CRNP.
“We’re also particularly interested in the law enforcement aspects inside the Park. The motorcycles will help stem illegal activities against the parks.”
The EU in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society had earlier provided solar lightings to sectoral offices of the CRNP.
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