By Cornelius Eku Randall
In a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the Outamba Kilimi National Park (OKNP), the National Protected Area Authority, under the Outamba Kilimi—Kuru Hills—Penselli—Soya (OKKPS) Project supported by the European Union (EU), has been diligently carrying out law enforcement routine surveillance and patrol across the OKNP landscape. This unwavering dedication is instrumental in stopping illegal activities and preserving the Park’s precious biodiversity, ensuring the safety and security of the area.
On Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, the National Protected Areas Authority (NPAA) updated the Karene District Security Committee (DISEC) on its management actions at the OKNP in a meeting at the District Council Hall in Kamakwie.
Welcoming the team from NPAA, the chairman of DISEC, Mr Abdul Alex Kargbo, who also is the District Officer, said he was very happy to receive the team from NPAA. He stated ”despite the challenging road network to Karene district, you made it possible to be here. We have been hearing about the good work the NPAA is doing to protect the OKNP, and DISEC is very pleased to get first-hand information about your work within the landscape”.
Dauda L Bangura Esq., the Law Enforcement Manager of the NPAA, gave a background of the NPAA, which he said was formed by an Act of Parliament in 2012 and amended in 2022. That Act mandates the Authority to protect fifteen networks of protected areas across the country, including the Outamba Kilimi National Park. It is the country’s first and biggest National park, covering about 110,900 hectares.
He thanked DISEC for allowing the Authority to present to them what has been done within the landscape under the OKKPS project funded by the E U Delegation in Sierra Leone. He emphasized that NPAA’s role in the Project was to do law enforcement and patrol surveillance, a significant contribution to the Project. The livelihood component of the Project was led by an NGO (Tacugama). He lamented every achievement made by the Authority. To this, he said the Authority has excellent support from the security sector, i.e. the SLP, RSLAF and ONS; for that, he expressed thanks and appreciation for the collaboration and cooperation. He continued to inform that illegal activities within the OKNP have been reduced due to a recent conviction by the Magistrates Court in Kamakwie of a Ghanaian national who was sentenced to 1-year imprisonment and a Le—10,000 fine for undertaking dredge mining in a protected area. He reassured the audience that the Project is ending but the Authority’s commitment to patrolling and protecting the Park will not waver.
In her statement, OKNP Park Manager Magdalene Koroma explained some of her challenges and success stories during the OKKPS project to protect the Park and thanked the security sector for their support.
Questions and answers formed part of the interactive engagement.
Outamba Kilimi National Park is located at Tambaka Chiefdom in Karene district in the northwest part of Sierra Leone. Visit Sierra Leone and see the beauty of nature.
