The Minister of the Economy Planning and Regional Development, on the 11 April 2022, signed an Exchange of Notes within the framework of the ” Economic and Social Development Program of Japan ” with the Ambassador of Japan to Cameroon H.E. Takaoka Nozomu.
It is a donation of 250 million yen, or about 1.2 billion CFA francs, to finance the project to supply forest monitoring equipment in Cameroon. The finance resource will enable the Ministry of Forestry and Wild life (MINFOF) to install equipment such as handheld GPS navigators, pick-up trucks, GIS and RS software and generators.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador, Takaoka Nozomu, explained that this grant will enable MINFOF to reinforce its capacity to monitor forestry nationwide to fight against poaching, illegal logging and smuggling of lumber and to manage their beautiful forestry in a more effective manner. Through this project, the Government of Japan wishes to contribute to the laudable efforts of the Government of Cameroon aiming at sustainable forest management and the preservation of biodiversity in Cameroon.
In his address the Minister of the Economy Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey noted that the action came up within the framework of the economic and Social Development Programme of the Japanese Government which is in line with Cameroons commitment to the Forestry and Wildlife sector; expounding that, it is a question of maintaining forests and wildlife as one of the essential providers of the national economy. Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey equally commended the action which he said is a contribution also made under-regional and moreover global for the Congo Basin given the role played in safeguarding the ecosystem.
The MINEPAT diligently, transmitted the gratitude of the Head of State to the Japanese Ambassador for Japan. Present at the ceremony were the Ministers of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella and the Minister of Forestry and Wild life Jules Doret Ndongo