THE government is set to launch special audit into the 9.6bn/- issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the last three years to serve Wildlife Management Authorities (WMAs) across the country.

Angellah Kairuki, the Natural Resources and Tourism minister made this affirmation here over the weekend when addressing game rangers and senior officials of the tourism sector

Noting that the funds were set aside for rural development, she said that 22 WMAs had already been approved to access those resources, in which case there were elements of misusing the funds.

“You should get prepared to be audited on the money spent on the matter as such money is not for leaders or individuals,” she said.

She similarly asked project officials to initiate contracts that take into account the national interest and help address conflicts in areas surrounding game-controlled areas.

There have been conflicts in game controlled areas which undermines conservation efforts being cultivated among the citizenry, she stated, noting that other discouraging areas include WMAs being invaded by livestock.

Such situations derails conservation outcomes and discourage investment for the special areas, she said, pointing at nine WMAs that lack income due to lack of investors.

The meeting out to address how to solve those challenges and many others that the game rangers and other officials would raise, she said.

The session has to seek solutions through discussion or the need for review or improvement of various laws and regulations governing conservation in the country, the minister added.