FFI Reaffirms Support To Tofala

 The West Africa Program Manager for UK Charity, Fauna and Flora International (FFI), Alison Mollon, has said her organization’s support towards the Proposed Tofala Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and other projects of ERuDeF is long-term. 
By Immaculate Mkong
“Taking over from the former West Africa Program Manager, Daniel Pouakoyou, I think the partnership can yield much higher collaboration given that there are areas where it would be more beneficial to harmonize efforts like the case of Tofala. I am aware we have a strong Conservation Capacity and Development team that could be very beneficial to ERuDeF in the future and this is something I would like to develop,” Mollon said.
Mollon gave this reassurance after visiting some project sites of ERuDeF in August 2014.
The aim of her visit was to have a one on one discussion with the villagers around the Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary; to understand their needs to be able to seek funding for alternative livelihood projects for the villagers.
Mollon visited three villages around the proposed sanctuary; Nkong, Bechati and Besali where the villagers expressed need for training and equipment in some livelihood activities like livestock farming (fish ponds, poultry, piggery and goats rearing), food processing and petty trading.
They also cited craft work, palm oil production and oil mills, corn and cassava mills, a cracking machine to process palm kennel, a bakery, vehicles to transport economic goods to and from markets, production of basic necessities like soap and body oil. 
In addition to these demands were improved palm and cocoa seeds, fertilizers, pesticides as well as social amenities like roads, classrooms, electricity and internet connection amongst others.  
Mollon promised to do her best in digging up funding for these livelihood projects, but clarified that FFI is a conservation organization, hence it might be difficult for her to get funding for schools, hospitals, roads, electricity and the like. 
She, however, pledged to link the people with organizations interested in funding social amenities while encouraging the villagers, especially the Fons, to keep the Cameroon government abreast with such needs, since according to her, it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the socio-economic well being of the people.
Reacting to growing misconceptions in some of the villagers in Bechati that FFI and ERuDeF are out to grab their land, which is their only source of livelihood, Mollon said they are only out to support them, create and improve alternative livelihood activities, since it is government’s decision to make the Tofala Hills a protected area, given the presence of some threatened wildlife species like gorillas, chimpanzees and elephants in the area. 
The FFI representative also expressed disappointment after visiting the oil mill ERuDeF donated to Besali village in 2012, given the poor level of maintenance. 
She exhorted the villagers to install a capable management committee that would ensure the sustainability of their present and future donations. 
She cautioned the villagers to understand that sponsors would be discouraged to help them if they don’t show proof of positive reception.
Prior to her trip to the Tofala forest area, Mollon had met with the Divisional Delegates of Forestry and Wildlife and of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development of Lebialem, Mboui Jacques and Kanyimi Ihimbru Charles, respectively. 
The Delegates both expressed appreciation saying that Mollon’s visit was indication of better days ahead, especially now that the Tofala file is already at the Prime Ministry, pending signature. 
They also aired some of the problems they have been facing since the commencement of the Tofala project. 
The problems included how to convince villagers that the forest they depend so much on for farming and hunting, will soon become a government protected area, and the fact that villagers expect compensation of some kind before they leave the forest. 
The officials, however, said due to the frequent sensitization meetings held with the villagers, a majority of them now understands and are cooperating. They pledged their support in ensuring the sustainable management of the sanctuary once it is gazetted. 
The Senior Divisional Officer for Lebialem, Seid Idrissou, was also visibly happy to have Mollon around.
Meanwhile, Mollon said it was clear to her that ERuDeF staff has developed a good relationship with the various communities where they have worked and this is enabling the work to continue in the field. 
“ERuDeF is a professional organization. I am especially impressed with the number of different projects going on across a wide scope of conservation interventions,” said Mollon. 
Mollon disapproved of the villagers and some government officials who insist on receiving some form of motivation before meeting with ERuDeF and funding partners like FFI. 
“Although field teams often say they may give motivation (such as purchase of alcohol) from their own funds and not project funds, the message received by communities is the same. As there is now expectation amongst villagers that they will receive something, this will be a difficult habit to break. However, it will be easier now than in the future and will have to be done at some point. In fact, the longer the giving of motivation goes on, the higher the risk for ERuDeF as the difficulty of communities will become stronger;,” Mollon cautioned.
ERuDeF has been working with FFI over the past five years and this partnership, according to Mollon, won’t be ending any time soon.