MDF, Parks and Wildlife sign MoU to smooth operations
A memorandum of understanding signed by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife on Friday in Lilongwe will help smooth operations between the two institutions, government has said.
Ministry of Defence Principal Secretary Paul Chiunguzeni, who led the MDF delegation which included deputy army commander Lieutenant General Vincent Nundwe, said there was need to formalise the partnership between MDF and Parks and Wildlife to ensure a smooth working relationship.
“The MoU is providing three key areas of cooperation between the Department and Parks and Wildlife. The first area is loaning of rifles and ammunition by the MDF to Department of Parks and Wildlife, the second area is training personnel how to use the riffles and thirdly, it is in the area of joint operations to conserve wildlife,” said Chiunguzeni during the signing ceremony at the Department of Parks and Wildlife headquarters in Lilongwe.
He said it is important that the two institutions work together to ensure successful wildlife conservation.
Said Chiunguzeni: “As you know, killing of wildlife animals is on the rise in the country. Deforestation is also on the increase and as per the Constitution, MDF has a role to play in that area.”
Ministry of Energy, Mining and Natural Resources’ director of energy James Ali thanked MDF for assisting the department of Parks and Wildlife in the protection of wildlife.
He cited the deployment of MDF troops to Dzalanyama Forest and also to Mulanje Mountain as part of MDFs efforts in helping the department.
“The signing of the MoU today is just to demarcate and list responsibilities of each party in our areas of cooperation. We are grateful for your support in training our personnel and also provision of rifles and ammunition. Our personnel have learnt a lot from your experience,” said Ali.
