The Higher Military Training Centre sends off 76 MINFOF eco-guards

• Date de Publication : 2023-04-01

For 45 days at the Koutaba Airborne Troops Battalion Training Centre, the 76 eco-guards from the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife were trained on basic military aptitudes and physical strength to effectively and efficiently carry out their duties on the filed notably the fight against poaching especially transboundary poaching and illegal forest exploitation.

Considering that eco-guards is a para-military corps, they were equally drilled intensively on shooting, obtained better skills on navigation, topography, detection and improvised explosive devices amongst others.

Speaking during the epaulette award ceremony, the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Jules Doret Ndongo expressed satisfaction for what his personnel had received so far in the training centre, though the 45 days are not sufficient enough for such a training because the challenges in the field require that it should be reinforced and number of days increased. He however said talks are underway with the Ministry of Defense to this effect with whom MINFOF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with in September 2016.

To the graduating eco-guards, the Minister enjoined them uphold that which they acquired during their training as the skills will enable them overcome the threats and withstand the various challenges that come with their job.

Minister Jules Doret Ndongo reassured the Ministry of Defense of MINFOF’s commitment and gratitude for the excellent collaboration so far which aims at better ensuring the conservation of wildlife in Cameroon’s protected areas, creating a synergy of actions through the harmonization of working means and joint operations. Thus far, some 3.109 forestry personnel have already benefitted from this military training.