The conservator of Gumpti National Park in the Gashaka Local Government Council of Taraba State, Joseph Ntui, has finally broken his silence on the controversies surrounding the procurement of a helicopter for the park by the Africa Nature Investors Foundation.
Ntui said the helicopter is part of efforts to enhance security and protect the park from threats including banditry, poaching, illegal mining, and grazing.
Clarifying on Monday while playing host to journalists in his office located in the park, Ntui, who viewed the procurement of the helicopter as a game changer, said the development has led to the improvement of surveillance in the park.
Ntui emphasised that it allows rangers to quickly cover the park’s vast 6,731-square-kilometre area, which, according to him, has significantly improved their ability to respond to potential threats.
He also noted that the helicopter is primarily used for surveillance and transporting rangers to various points within the park, which, he said, have led to the reduction of the time previously spent trekking to remote duty posts within the park.
The Conservator of Park, who took his time to address rumours that the helicopter was involved in illegal mining, firmly denied the claims.
“The helicopter people are speculating about is used for surveillance, patrol, and deploying rangers. It is not used for lifting gold or diamonds,” he clarified.
Reiterating that mining is strictly prohibited within the park, he highlighted the positive impact the helicopter has had on the park’s operations, which, according to him, is helping boost the efficiency and effectiveness of the rangers.
While urging the public to support the foundation’s efforts, he called for collective action to elevate the park, which he described as Nigeria’s largest and most diverse conservation area.
Supporting Ntui’s statements, the first-class traditional ruler of Gashaka Council, Alhaji Zubairu Hammangabdo, who applauded the contributions of the foundation to the park, said the introduction of the helicopter has led to the reduction of the vices bedevilling the park.
“This deployment has significantly improved security within the park and surrounding communities,” the monarch stated.
He also acknowledged the numerous benefits brought by the foundation to local communities, expressing confidence that the partnership, along with support from the state and federal governments, will continue to enhance the lives of residents in the area.