Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Ecology Funds on Friday visited Lagos State for a first hand experience of some erosion prone areas and ensuring that all appropriated funds are properly applied.
The team, led by the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oyedeji Oyeshina, had the tour with officials of the Lagos State Government.
Those who accompanied Oyeshina included Hon Paul Nnamchi, Hon Kafilat Ogbara, Hon Ahmed Doro, Hon Hassan Abubakar, Hon. Yakubu Noma, Abdullahi Gwarzo, Hon Patrick Umoh, Hon Aminu Aliyu Gari, Hon. Hassan Jakduwa, Hon Aminu Ibrahim Kafu, and Hon Danladi Aguye.
They were received by a high powered team led by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, which took them round many of the erosion prone areas of the State.
Addressing newsmen after the tour, Oyeshina said the team was in Lagos just as it has gone round some other states in the geopolitical zone to find a lasting solution to erosion challenges in the State.
- Full List: Asake, Ayra Starr, Odumodublvck, others nominated for 2025 MOBO Awards
- Senate sets up committee to review Tax Reform Bills
- Tax Bills: 10 ways states will be richer, by Temitope Ajayi
- Chile president announces he will soon be a father
- NAF acquired 63 new aircraft in three years — Air Chief
He said: “This team has visited some states in the Northern part as well as Eastern parts and now in the South West, we recognise that erosion challenges are part of the effects of climate change and funds allocated to combat it must be used judiciously.”
He explained that the Federal Government had decided to pause on the use of the Ecological Funds in order to allow the committee to conduct a holistic assessment and advise FG on the subsequent disbursement of the funds to states appropriately.
He stressed that part of the mandate of the committee was to ensure that all communities affected by erosion and other ecological issues are adequately catered for when the funds are allocated.
According to him: “I would like to emphasise that the Federal Government would not relent but will continue to collaborate with all the states in order to perform its responsibilities of maintaining a safe and sustainable environment for all.”
Wahab expressed optimism that residents of the erosion prone areas in the state would have cause to enjoy the benefits of the funds.
He said: “I believe very soon, our people are going to enjoy the benefits of these funds.
“The Federal Government had to pause on the disbursement of ecological funds deliberately, which shows that it plans to rework the allocation process to ensure it becomes more effective.”
He recalled that the State Government officials had in 2019 conducted a comprehensive assessment on all erosion affected areas and requested funds from the Federal Government to resolve the issues.
He emphasised that it is very essential for the Federal and State Governments to collaborate in ensuring a sustainable development of all parts and providing a quality living environment for all residents.
He added that Lagos awaits the ecological and intervention funds approval to fix some ecological challenges, which the State has been experiencing for a while.
He added that the funds would be deployed to some projects which have already been identified to address the devastating effect of erosion and flood menace in these affected communities.
He expressed appreciation to the committee members for visiting Lagos State in the South West in order to see how the erosion scourge, which had posed serious threat to lives and properties, can permanently be addressed in these areas and communities.
Also on the trip were the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Lolade Aina; and other top State officials as well as staff of the committee from Abuja.
The erosion prone areas visited included Orimolade Street, off College Road; Alade Bucknor Estate, off Fagba Road; Sango Toll Gate Bridge, Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway; Maidan/Agiliti area of Ketu; and Agboyi Ketu area of the State.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
