The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife prescribed discipline and rigour as they took off for the Koutaba Military Base last Friday.

The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Philip Ngole Ngwese, last Friday January 20 at the 101 Air Force Base in Yaounde presided at a departure ceremony of a special military contingent dubbed “FOX-TROT”, which consisted of 300 eco-guards going for training at the Air-borne Battalion Base in Koutaba in the West Region. In the presence of the Secretary of State of his ministry, Mrs Koulsoumi Alhadji epse Boukar and authorities of the Air Force Base, Philip Ngole Ngwese called on the eco-guards to be disciplined and work within the instructions of the military so as to better accomplish their task in the field which he said is daunting.   

The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife said it is necessary for eco-guards to go for military training because, by virtue of the missions they are assigned on the field, which is mainly to fight against poaching and illegal logging, experiences  have shown that perpetrators are usually well-armed. He added that eco-guards often work in very adverse conditions. This justifies the need to ensure that staff in charge of fighting this type of activities are well equipped. “Eco-guards have to be physically equipped and apt. This is why besides military training, they are armed to protect and manage natural resources from the forest.” Philip Ngole Ngwese underlined.

The Minister said the decree signed by the Head of State granting eco-guards epaulettes just like the army also spelled it out that they have to undergo military training. The contingent of eco-guards dubbed “Fox-Trot”, who are going on military training, will add to the first groups that have already carried out the training, that is: Alpha, Bravo, Charly, Echo and Delta.