The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation, Tourism, and Industry in Central Equatoria State on Monday graduated 25 rangers after they completed seven months of military training in anti-poaching techniques at the Wildlife Training Center in Juba.
The trainees were drawn from the South Sudan Wildlife Service and South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) from Central Equatoria and Upper Nile states respectively.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Martin Alhaj Lupayi, Central Equatoria State Director of Training, said the purpose of the training was to ensure that personnel can support the ministry in combating poaching which is a serious threat to the country’s wildlife.
“This training started on the 5 May and it brought members from the military and wildlife service. They have gone through all the stages of the training that is why they are graduating today,” he said. “We are happy with this team because they were able to bear all the challenges during the training. These are people who can serve this nation and we shall not doubt them because they have passed this training and are ready the work.”
According to Lupayi, the force will be deployed to counter poachers in national parks across South Sudan.
“This force is in a position to protect our animals from any attack and they are ready for any work and to counter anyone attempting to kill animals,” he stated.
For his part, Rubom Majak Riek, the acting assistant director for training at the National Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, warned officers who obtained ranks without training that their days are numbered.
“Training is the true meaning of military. You cannot eat government salary without being trained” he warned. “You are supposed to be 35 in number but the rest run away but we shall see how they are going to come for their salaries.”