Metro

Ivory Coast builds a wall to protect Banco National Park

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2022

There have been recent actions from various African countries to preserve their wildlife. The latest is Ivory Coast, erecting a concrete perimeter wall that it hopes will preserve its distinctive ecosystem.

The West African country is concerned about illegal logging and pollution in Banco National Park in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital Abidjan.

Banco National Park conserves both flora and fauna in some 116 square miles (300 square km). Tropical hardwood trees occupy most of the park; an arboretum displays trees (especially teak) and shrubs from all over the country. African civet, genet, bushbuck, duiker, and monkey roam the park. The park serves primarily as a recreational centre for the inhabitants of Abidjan.

The director-general of the Ivorian Office of Parks and Reserves, Adama Tondossama, said “in reality, it’s 12 km of fencing for a perimeter of 24 km because a lot of the boundary has already been whittled away here and there to build urban lots.”

Tondossama said he hoped the efforts to protect Banco would help it win a place on U.N. agency UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites.

“We must not lose the forest,” said Mesmin Yapo, the deputy chief of a village on the park’s outskirts. “We are in some ways the guardians here.”

There is growing concerns about wildlife in Africa lately, news broke on Sunday that another African country, Gabon in response to cases of increased poaching activity in some of its parts has launched an operation in search of weapons belonging to potential poachers.

Zimbabwe on its part is lobbying the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to allow it sell its stockpile of seized elephant ivory.

Related Topics:Banco National Park Featured Ivory Coast

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.