By Cornelius Eku Randall
In a bid to uphold its mandate, to Protect Biodiversity Conservation, Wildlife Management Research, provide for the sale of ecosystems services in the national protected area and to provide other related matters.
The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) together with the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the environment and climate change, has on the 13th August 2024, engaged stakeholders around the Outamba Kilimi National Park (OKNP), at the Kortor Head Quarter of the NPAA .
Welcoming the Parliamentary Committee and stakeholders to the meeting the Executive Director, Thomas Fayia Kamara said he is very much happy to receive the chairman and other members of the committee to OKNP, and also expressed thanks to the leadership and stakeholders of upper and lower Tamabaka whom he said are always ready and willing to support the work of the NPAA, especially in the protection of the OKNP. He stated that “if you support your leaders you will be supported in turn”.
In his statement Hon Abdul Karim Bangura a parliamentary committee member explained the purpose of the meeting, which he said was to familiarize themselves with the work of NPAA in the landscape and the relationship with the communities’ stakeholders within the OKNP.
Representing the Paramount Chief PC Kandeh Bamba II, of upper Tambaka, Bangura the Adviser to the PC, said they are very deprived in their communities, bad roads, no school, no hospital and further appeal to the committee members to pass on this information to the central government to think about them. He stated that the relationship with NPAA is cordial and that they are working together, even though as humans issue are bound to come but those issues have been settled.
Representing lower Tambaka the Chiefdom Speaker Pa Yansaneh said, the problem within the chiefdom is lack of key development. The Tambaka is divided into two but the problems within the chiefdom is similar. He further stated that basic amenities are not available in the chiefdom. He stated that this communities have not benefited from any developmental activities. He also mentioned that, they the communities have planned to set up a committee to monitor all livelihood support for the community especially, when projects are in their chiefdom. He mentioned that monies given by EU to Tacugama for livelihood support to them have not been reflected within the various communities. He said foreigners are benefiting from the park more than them in the communities. He said that they are willing to work with NPAA to protect the park, but appeal to Government to support them to meet their various amenities and also they are requesting to have a reviewed of the agreement signed between Government and them for the park.
In his keynote address Hon Yusif Mackery Chairman Oversight Committee on the Environment and Climate Change, said he is very much happy to be at OKNP and that he has learnt a lot from what has been said by the elders. He stated that he is very happy with the respect and relationships they have with the Executive Director of NPAA and team. He further stated that he has listened to the cries and he is not making promises, but will support their Honorable to lobby for them. He stated that President Bio in his statement at the state opening of parliament in section 79 said that a bridge will be done in Kabba Ferry. He assure them that as long as it has come from the First Gentleman of the country they are assured that it will be done he stated. He advised the community to follow the law to protect the park and stated that any other project that comes to the OKNP the Forest edge communities should be involved. He mentioned that he was not happy with the feedback he got from the communities stakeholders about the livelihood support from Tacugama that was not reflected to them.
In his statement the Chairman Karene District Council, Abdul Turay said he is happy to informed all that the Karene District Council have a very strong relationship with the NPAA, and promised that the District Council has pledged to support the work of NPAA to protect the Park and to stop illegal activities within the park. He stated that the coordinator of ONS Karena district Mr Bundu Sesay is closely working with him.
He applauded the Executive Director Mr Thomas Fayia Kamara for the way he is changing the narratives of the NPAA in Karren district.
In closing Park Manager Magdalene Koroma thank the parliamentary committee members for the visit and expressed appreciation to them for coming even though the road is very challenging. She also thanks the stakeholders and leaders in the various communities for accepting the invitation to come and thank them for their support in protecting the OKNP.
