The Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation has refuted allegations s that its helicopters have been conducting unlawful movements at Gashaka National Gumti Park, the largest national park in Gashaka local government area of Taraba State.
In a press statement, ANI’s community liaison manager, David Peter, said that while the residents and community leaders applaud ANI’s efforts in keeping the park secure from criminal activities, others are peddling untruthful rumours about its activities.
Peter regretted that the most grievous of the pending rumours, perhaps was allegations of unlawful movements of the organization’s helicopters, stating that the movement of the helicopters in the park is in line with the rules of the National Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“The movement of the helicopter used by ANI is restricted to the Gashaka Gumti National Park. The helicopter has a built-in tracking system, which enables it to be tracked by relevant government authorities, including the National Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“This means the helicopter only moves around the park, except for routine maintenance to a government-approved service centre in Enugu.
Therefore, the government and its agencies constantly track all its movements.
He described the rumour as handiwork of detractors who are out for blackmail, insisting that ANI will focus on security in the park unbending while assuring members of the communities of adequate security and safety as they go about their businesses.
“As a partner, ANI provides technical support to the National Park Service (NPS) to carry out its constitutional responsibilities of protecting the park and all who live in and around it. ANI works closely with all stakeholders to improve security in the park and surrounding communities, which is why community members can now carry out their economic activities unhindered.
