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The European Union (EU) has earmarked two million Euros (about N794 million) to protect gorillas, better the livelihoods of 1,000 farmers as well as secure and manage the national park in Cross River.
The state’s rainforest forms part of an internationally recognised biodiversity hot spot and an important centre of plant diversity with very high levels of species amid richness and endemism. At the heart of this natural endowment is the Cross River National Park established in 1991.
Leader of the EU team and Head of Cooperation, Kurt Cornelis, made the announcement yesterday in Calabar at the “official launch of the EU support for the preservation of the forest ecosystems in Cross River, Nigeria.”
He said the project was part of the larger EU-funded “Support Programme for the Preservation of Forest Ecosystems in West Africa” geared at conserving six trans-boundary priority landscapes across the sub-region.
By protecting one of the last great rainforests in ECOWAS region, Cornelis submitted that the venture would mitigate the effects of climate change.
His words: “Over the next four years, the EU is providing two million Euros to support the EU Project for the Preservation of Forest Ecosystems in Cross River State, Nigeria. The project will help strengthen the national park, benefit 1,000 households surrounding the park by promoting conservation-friendly cocoa farming and the sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products as well as strengthening resilience to climate change and boosting levels of food security.”
The project is to be implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with the Nigeria National Park Service and the Cross River State government.
Governor Ben Ayade, who performed the formal launch, lauded the EU for its support, promising: “The government of Cross River State is ready to provide all necessary support for the successful implementation of this timely project.”
Represented by his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, the governor thanked the bloc for selecting the state for the project, a move he added, was in line with his environmental goals for Cross River.
Besides applauding the WCS for the partnership, Ayade solicited the assistance of the EU in developing rural roads and other infrastructure to check urban migration.
The Conservator General of the National Park Service, Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Goni, welcomed the support, urging more funding from the international community for the other six parks across the federation.
He appreciated the long-term support from the WCS, stating: “This project will help protect the Cross River gorilla, the most threatened of all African apes, from habitat loss and poaching.”
Goni added: “The stronghold for Cross River gorillas is the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park, contiguous with Takamanda National Park in Cameroun.”
In his remarks, the Country Director for the WCS in Nigeria, Andrew Dunn, said his organisation was “immensely proud to be implementing this project in collaboration with the National Park Service to strengthen the management of Cross River National Park and help protect Cross River gorillas, forest elephants and chimpanzees.”
