Avoid Internal Political Rivalries: Magha-Bamumbu Cautioned

An access benefit sharing initiative (ABS) expert from Germany, Peter Schaurte, on September 29, 2014 cautioned the people of Magha-Bamumbu, Wabane Subdivision, South West, to shun internal political rivalries, which could hamper the development of their locality.
By Immaculate Mkong
Schaurte made the cautionary statement during a workshop to keep the community abreast with the Mutual Agreement Term (MAT) and negotiations for the commercialization phase of Echinops giganteus project with respect to the provisions of the Nagoya Protocol.
Schaurte recommended that the people keep aside their disagreements and focus on how to take ABS to the next level.
The expert and a team of ERuDeF personnel had noticed that the people and some traditional authorities hardly agreed.
The German expert said if everything works as planned, a signature between the representative of the community and the exploiting company, V. Mane Fils, would be signed by the end of the year 2014.
He further cautioned the people to be mature and responsible in how they handle issues related to the ABS, while reassuring them that he and his collaborators are working hard to ensure that the people of Magha get the best out of the project.
He promised that the price of a kilogramme of echinops roots would be raised though he said Mane cannot pay up to 3000 per kg as demanded by the people.
In exchange, Mane does not only want echinops roots but needs the ABS stamp on the roots to ease commercialization in Europe.
The ABS-Echinops coordinator, Lea Knemene, explained the ABS principle to the people laying emphasis on the options; monetary and non-monetary benefits.
This was to enable the people understand what to expect and what is expected of them before signing any documents on the project.
The people were given documents on the provisions of ABS to study and understand them so that before the next meeting or signing phase, they must have had a mastery of ABS, and propose what they expect in the MAT document.
Though the Fon of Magha-Bamumbu, Nembo Abraham, and other cooperative members were present, Chief Lekunze was absent at the meeting.
Schaurte later held a meeting with Chief Lekunze in Bamenda where he promised his support to the ABS-Echinops commercialization project.
The German ABS facilitator couldn’t help but congratulate the ERuDeF boss, Louis Nkembi, and his team for the great work they are doing in the world of conservation.
He was particularly captivated by the undying zeal to forge ahead despite the bad roads