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[/one_third]The people of Nkongho-Mbo in Southwest Cameroon have greeted the newly established Mak-Betchou Rainforest Community Conservation Programme with lots of joy giving the developmental prospects, which the project has for their communities.
They overly expressed their joy during the ERuDeF Inception Workshop on the Nkongho-Mbo Integrated Conservation and Development Programme organised recently at the Southwest Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) in Buea
After getting a panoramic description of the project from ERuDeF President/CEO, the Nkongho-Mbo people expressed total interest, promising to collaborate with ERuDeF in the execution of the Project.
The traditional ruler of Dinte Village, Chief Fotabong, said that the new project is only coming to corroborate other livelihood supports which ERuDeF has been providing to his community over the years.
“ERuDeF has offered us livelihood supports via pig donations, bee hives and lot more. So we are certain that this new project will bring more developmental activities in this area”.
Just like Chief Fotabong, Mr. Julius Fonje, opined that the Rainforest Project is a wonderful opportunity with the propensity to bring about development, education and job creation for the people of this area.
In her address, the Vice President of the Upper Nkongho Development Association (UNDA), Mrs Martina Fomelack Forsac, explained that the new project will ensure the sustainable exploitation and management of their rich natural resources.
“I am aware of developmental activities, which ERuDeF has carried out in other parts of the country via wildlife conservation and environmental protection. So I am in full support of this project” she pledged.
On his part, the representative of the National President of the Nkongho-mbeng Cultural and Development Association, Atabong Joseph, called on the Nkongho-Mbo people to unite behind ERuDeF for the realization of this project.
“Unity is strength and this project would have a double impact; progress and development if we all are supportive of it” he insisted.
Reacting to these, the ERuDeF boss reiterated the commitment of his organization to the project, promising to give mobilise resources and to improve on the livelihood of the people.
The ERuDeF Inception Workshop on the Nkongho-Mbo Integrated Conservation and Development is part of the Mak-Betchou Rainforest Community Programme aimed at providing alternative livelihood supports to communities adjacent to the proposed Mak-Betchou Wildlife Sanctuary, which harbours over 300 chimpanzees, unknown population of gorillas, over 100 elephants as well as other endangered wildlife and plants. It is sponsored by Rainforest Trust USA.
By Queen Achingale