Tension mounts in Kafue as locals lock horns with Africa Park Network over co-management deal

Tension has mounted regarding the agreement with the Africa Park Network Limited over the co-management of the Kafue National Park as locals lock the horn on the deal.

Itezi Tezhi Member of Parliament Twaambo Mutinta has called on the Department of National Park and Africa Park Network Limited to adequately engage local stakeholders in the co-management of the Kafue National Park.

Mutinta said from the time Government and African Parks signed agreement for the co-management of the Park and support to the Game Management Areas, his office was tasked by the traditional leaders to engage authorities to call for a high-level stakeholders meeting to enable the locals to appreciate the tenets of the agreement.

He said sadly African Parks and the Department of National Parks have gone in full swing implementing the project before full appreciation of the agreement.

Mutinta said as a result, there is a lot of misinformation among locals such that the new park management decision being made especially those that borders on fishing in the national park, which is the only economic activity for the residents are creating tension.

“My appeal is to the Ministry of Tourism to call for a high-level meeting in Itezhi Tezhi to explain the tenets of the Agreement and build a strong community engagement strategy which should be implemented judiciously for the project to succeed,” he said.

Mutinta has also called on Ministry to clearly unveil the five years business plan and the local community benefits which borders on infrastructure, road network and economic alternative livelihoods for the locals.

“I also wish to call on the authorities to review the Park fees for the fishermen which are at K 1,000 per month and also address the sudden reduction in numbers of fishermen allowed to go in the Park from 1000 people to about 1,500 fishermen because the district entirely depends on fishing as a livelihood,” he said.

Contributed by Augustine Sichula

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.