NGOMA – Deputy tourism minister Heather Mwiza Sibungo has cautioned conservancies to refrain from misusing public funds, but rather concentrate on ploughing back to the communities where they operate.
“We shouldn’t be misusing funds… Before I leave the ministry, we will make sure people are arrested, whoever has misused conservancy money. We will bring in auditors to come and re-audit all conservancies. If we find that there are irregularities, you will be [held] accountable for public funds,” warned Sibungo.
She made these remarks while receiving food items donated to rangers at Salambala conservancy by the Rock Wildlife Foundation and Sanctuary last week.
“It is time you meet the government halfway. By this time, Salambala could have installed electricity and water like any other conservancies in the region,” said Sibungo.
In addition, Sibungo also welcomed the new committee of Salambala conservancy who resumed work on 17 July.
“I hope the new committee will not look down on the staff in the office. Carry them and make sure when I come back we have all members residing in Salambala registered. We do not want to hear that there are people who have been members since Salambala was established but they are not registered. Make sure the members are registered to benefit from the conservancy,” she stated.
Sibungo thanked the Rock Wildlife Foundation and Sanctuary for the donation, adding that rangers play a crucial role in preserving wildlife.
“We should all take note that the responsibility to care for our rangers lies with all of us and we should all care for their wellbeing as they are taking care of our natural resources that benefit all of us and our future generations,” she stated.
The representative of the foundation, Aaron Chimupanga said “recognising their selfless services, the Rock Wildlife Foundation and Sanctuary felt compelled to provide assistance; a helping hand to enable them to continue their essential work.”
Salambala chairperson Ignatius Kawana said the donation is highly appreciated, as it will help the rangers and “enable them to have energy to do a wonderful job in protecting our wildlife and biodiversity”.
The food donation, valued at about N$7 000, included bags of maize meal, rice, cooking oil, tinned fish, baked beans and tea bags.
In his state of the region address recently, Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu noted that 14 conservancies and one association in the region generated N$37.5 million, compared to N$32.5 million in the previous year, while N$11.6 million was paid out to community members.
He, however, pointed out that “despite the achievements, N$459 553 was unaccounted for within the conservancies.”