The conservative of Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Joseph Assam,has dismissed rumours that the African National Investment (ANI) is using her operational helicopter to conduct illegal mining activities within the park.
Assam stated this in his office in Serti, the headquarters of the Gashaka local government area of Taraba State, on Saturday while briefing journalists who were at the park for facts finding on the activities of the National Park in collaboration with ANI.
He stated that at no time did such illegal activities happen in the park under his watch as a conservator; rather, he said the park officers have been arresting and prosecuting people who conducted such illegal activities in the park.
“Rather than accusing ANI of illegal mining activities, we expect the neighbouring communities to thank the ANI for improving operational services, increasing active surveillance, providing financial support and training our staff.
“ANI’s collaboration with us has brought about attitudinal changes from the host communities, and the helicopter has brought easy access to difficult terrains of the park, areas that before now took our Rangers five days to reach. We now use a few hours to cover up surveillance.
He further stated that poaching, farming encroachment, grazing, and hunting were major factors affecting the park. He called on surrounding communities to support and guide the park, saying that the park is for generational benefits.
The business expert maintained that we will be opening another branch along Naka Road in a few days. In a few weeks from now, we will be producing our branded packs for our bread and water because, after our cost-benefit analysis, we discovered we are spending so much on the branded packs.
Dr Asemakaha further disclosed that the company has put in place the sum of N700 million in the construction of the Benue beer company.
He said BIPC has embarked on several projects and is poised to deliver all of them to make the state a hub of industries in the North Central, adding that renovation work on the Benfruits company has been completed, and production will hopefully be commenced in November this year.
