Minister of Tourism and Arts Ronald Chitotela has received equipment valued at more than 600,000 United States Dollars (USD) from African Parks.
The equipment include motor vehicles, air assets and equipment for the conservation and management of Kafue National Park.
Receiving the donated items, Mr. Chitotela disclosed that government was happy with progress achieved in supporting conservation and management of Kafue National Park.
The Minister indicated that government remains committed to the further advancement of the wildlife sanctuary and the communities surrounding it.
“Government takes great pride in the progress that has already been achieved these past two months, and remains committed to the further advancement of this extraordinary wildlife sanctuary and the communities surrounding it,” Mr. Chitotela stated.
And the Minister warned poachers and encroachers not to engage in illegal activities in the Kafue as he called on African Parks to help in bringing the problem to a stop.
Meanwhile, African Parks Chief Executive Officer Peter Fearnhead said the Kafue National Park and other parks in the country have the potential to grow thus the network is committed to supporting government.
At the same event African Parks handed over a Cheque worth 3.7 million kwacha for salaries to law enforcement officers at the Kafue National Park for the first quarter of 2021.
And the Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Patrick Lungu said that the support will go a long way in restoring biodiversity within and around the Kafue landscape.
The event marked the implementation of the Priority Support Plan (PSP), lauding the first steps taken within the initiative to boost its social, ecological and economic potential which was announced in February this year.
The Priority Support Plan is a collaboration between the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and African Parks, aimed at increasing technical and financial support for Kafue, worth US$3.4 million over a period of 12 months.
Key developments include the procurement of five vehicles, the delivery of a helicopter and aircraft to enhance surveillance, the installation of two aircraft hangars, upgrades for offices, utilities and access routes, and salaries provided for all law enforcement staff to cover the first quarter.
US 600,000 support? Motor bikes and other “interesting” materials? I know where that will end up…. Corrupt PF criminal cadres will take care of that!
Great things happen to those who are patient and also go out and Make them happen. They don’t come ro those who wait.
This is fantastic news. What is upnd doing apart from criticism? Little deek syndrome they suffer from
African Parks demands full accountability for the support and resources they provide, the organization does not tolerate corruption. Be gone ugly Troll !
Meanwhile they spend three times that amount on Ministers PS and Directors Ford Rangers.
African Parks are a serious partner in protecting wildlife but this donation is tied to some long term benefits which we have not yet seen but the donor knows it very well. There is no way the African Parks can fund a project without accruing present or future benefits.
That is great gesture, has we need to proactively manage the national parks . wild life is key to Zambia’s Tourism growth. We pray the same can be done to other National parks.
Does African parks know how this equipment
Will be used?let them come back after six months to see what will be left.
Well done to the donor! I nearly fell off my stool when I saw that Katie National Park is being equipped without realising that is donor funded. Because this government does not do anything in areas where they lost elections unless they want to plunder!