Park Nyigoti builds sec school as Grumeti Reserves investment plan bears fruit

MARA:Park Nyigoti Village in Serengeti District, Mara Region is building a public secondary school, the first of its kind with funds received from Grumeti Reserves investment plan.

“We have two classrooms and a staffroom already completed. The school will be a relief to our children who have to walk long distances to and from school every day,’ the Park Nyigoti Village Chairman said Mtiro Kitigani said yesterday.

He said the village wants to ensure money received from Ikona Wildlife Management Area (WMA) boosts construction of the school, stressing that work began immediately after the village received the first installment from Grumeti Reserves.

“Everything is going on as planned. We started receiving the funds last year. So far, the January- June installment has already been paid,’’ the village chief said told journalists in Serengeti.

Last year, Grumeti Reserves signed a contract with Park Nyigoti village for extension of its conservation activities in the latter’s land of more than 137 hectares for 15 years.

In November 2022, a District Councilors’ meeting in Serengeti passed a resolution supporting an investment plan for the lease of part of Park Nyigoti village land to Grumeti Reserves.

“Another advantage of the investment plan is that it will not only bring revenue, but will also inspire wildlife and environmental conservation  at Pak Nyigoti Village,’’ said Ayubu Mwita Makuruma, Serengeti Council Chairperson, moments after the council approved the investment plan.

Grumeti Reserves is an eco-tourism company which supports conservation and community development in western Serengeti and has created hundreds of jobs for the local people.