Commissioner for Environment, NEWMAP Executives inspects Greater Lokoja Water Works gully remediation site »

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Victor Omofaiye, along with the NEWMAP Project Coordinator, Hajia Barr. Ladi Jatto and the Senior Special Assistance to the Governor of Kogi State on NEWMAP, Hon. Ali Oyibo earlier today inspected the remediation work at the Ganaja gully erosion sites being executed by the State Government and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

Hon. Omofaiye while addressing newsmen identified human activities as the main cause of gully erosion, and urged residents of communities threatened by erosion and other forms of natural disasters to take proactive steps in raising the alarm for urgent government intervention.

He noted, “If the communities had alerted Government on time, the threat to their environment could have been prevented and unnecessary huge financial costs involved would have been avoided.”

Hon. Omofaiye maintained that, The Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Bello took the oath of office with a commitment in his inaugural speech to restore all the agencies in the environmental sector that have become almost moribund. He gave a commitment then that they will all be repositioned to positively and effectively impact the Kogi State environment that will not only be green but sustainable.”

On her part, Barr. Ladi Jatto explained that the remediation work marked the end of the trauma, uncertainty, loss of property in the communities and a new beginning for proper environmental and waste management. She assured residents of Ganaja Community, that this remediation work is to address the challenge of flooding in Ganaja community.”

The Senior Special Assistance to the Gov. On NEWMAP Hon Ali Oyibo, expressed that the remediation work on the erosion sites at Ganaja is among other ongoing projects across the state, hinged the mandate of the State Government and the Ministry is primarily to secure a clean, healthier and sustainable environment that will be conducive for tourism, economic growth and wellbeing of its citizenry.