ZAWA Bemoans Lack of Water Transport


The Times of Zambia (Ndola)

July 6, 2004
Posted to the web July 6, 2004

Times Reporter


LACK of reliable water transport has greatly contributed to increased poaching in the country, Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) director-general, Hapenga Kabeta, has said.

Speaking during the graduation of 19 launch masters at River Motel (RIMO) in Kafue at the weekend, Mr Kabeta said ZAWA had for a long time operated under trying circumstances.

In a speech read for him by ZAWA director of conservation and management, Isaac Longwe, Mr Kabeta said the authority was finding it hard to fight poaching in some areas because of lack of reliable water transport.

He said ZAWA's efforts to conserve Zambia's wildlife were being hampered by lack of water transport because poachers had become sophisticated in the game.

"The ever changing poachers' tactics require the wildlife agency to keep abreast with such changes to reduce the risk of depleting wildlife population," he said.

He noted that illegal hunters had increasingly posed a major threat to effective conservation and management of wildlife.

Mr Kabeta said the buying of 10 speed boats, at a cost of $160,000, with support from the Norwegian government, would help increase water patrols and hopefully lead to reduced poaching.

He said ZAWA had identified the need to procure the vessels and train the launch masters as an ingredient that was missing in its desire to protect the nation's wildlife resources in places such as Nsumbu, Lower Zambezi and Kafue Flats.

"This will increase water-borne patrols and since the launch masters or coxswains have gained skills, it will add value to the durability of these vessels," he said.

The ZAWA chief prodded officers to take care of the machines because they were bought at a great cost to the Zambian people.

Mr Kabeta also challenged the officers to avoid engaging themselves in corrupt practices, which contributed to the perpetuation of illegal hunting.

Speaking at the same function, police inspector-general, Zunga Siakalima, in a speech read for him by senior assistant commissioner, Nancy Chingaipe, urged the launch masters to be wary of growing criminality in game management.

"You are going to find criminals in our Zambian waters. It's not going to be easy for you, but if you get caught up, Zambia Police will be there for you," Mr Siakalima said.

He said the training was one of the many areas of cooperation that the police service was pursuing with different stakeholders in its endeavour to eradicate crime in the country.

The programme coordinator, Kenneth Mbao, said the training was intensive and that the officers had gained valuable skills that should see poaching minimised.

The facilitating personnel was drawn from the departments of maritime and in-land waterways in the ministry of Communication and civil aviation.

Peter,

I could not agree more. I'll never get the picture of the recent model full size Landrover that was up on blocks at the Kafue flats game scout camp with everything stripped off it with the exception of the door with WWF panda emblem on it.

Perhaps Mr. Kabeta would not have to challenge the officers about corrupt practices if the officers got paid on a regular basis.

Regards,

Mark

Wasn't there a thread on the pros and cons of safari hunters paying bribes only recently. Guess there needs to be supply for the demand.