The Conservator of Gumpti National Park in Gashaka Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, Joseph Ntui, has cleared the air on the speculations about the use of a helicopter in the park.

Addressing media practitioners at his office over the weekend, Ntui confirmed that the helicopter, procured by the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, is part of efforts to protect the park from threats like banditry, poaching, illegal mining, unauthorised grazing, among others.

Describing the helicopter as a “game changer,” he stressed that it allows rangers to cover the park’s vast 6,731-square-kilometre area swiftly, improving their ability to respond to threats.

He explained that the helicopter is used for surveillance and transportation of rangers to various designated points in the park, eliminating the need for long treks, which previously took rangers several days to reach their duty posts.

He also denied rumours that the helicopter was being used for illegal mining activities, stating that mining is strictly prohibited in the park.

“The helicopter people are speculating about is used for surveillance, patrol, and deploying rangers. It is not used for lifting gold or diamonds,” he clarified.

According to him, “the use of the helicopter has enhanced the park’s operations, boosting the efficiency and effectiveness of the rangers in carrying out their duties.”

Rather than going about castigating the Foundation, all hands, as suggested by the Conservator of Park, should be on deck in order to catapult the Park, which he described as the largest and most diverse conservation enclave in Nigeria, to new heights.

Aligning his weight to that of the Conservator of Park, the first-class traditional ruler of Gashaka Council, Alhaji Zubairu Hammangabdo, who did not only praise the ANI Foundation for the helicopter’s introduction, said the procurement has led to a significant improvement in security within the park, the surrounding communities, and the area since its deployment.

Reeling out the numerous benefits the Foundation has been spreading across the host communities and the local government council at large, with the much-desired support from both the state and federal governments, as well as other organisations, it is believed that the Foundation will continue to assist in improving the living standards of the people of the area.