By Abu Micheal
There has been a silent revolution in the Kogi State Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management. Since his assumption of office, Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun, didn’t mince words, as he declared a total and Zero tolerance to indiscriminate dumping of waste in the State.
With the support of the Staff and management of the Ministry, it is without mincing words that the Engr. Joseph accomplishments aligns with the broader perspective of the Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo’s administration in ensuring a cleaner safer environment for the people of Kogi State.
A journey through streets from welcome to Lokoja, down to the exit point of Lokoja at Nataco, is a beehive of activities of Sanitation officers who begining from the wee hours of the morning, are ensuring that the mandate of the Ministry as directed by Gov. Ododo is being met.
The Kogi State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources without overstating the obvious is responsible for coordinating environmental matters, promoting sustainable development, and enforcing environmental policies in the state, this the Engr. Joseph’s leadership has not taken for granted.
Today, the Management of the state’s natural resources, preventing environmental degradation, and ensuring a clean, healthy, and aesthetic environment has remained his focus.
Based on the Ministry’s 2024–2026 Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) and its mandates, the basic responsibilities of the Kogi State Ministry of Environment includes; Environmental Sanitation and Waste Management, has remained a top priority under the leadership of Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun.
The Ministry’s Management of solid waste collection and disposal, including the regulation of dump sites to reduce illegal dumping has been very effective.
Through his Sanitation Enforcement protocol, the Ministry has led meaningfully in organizing and enforcing environmental sanitation exercises when and where necessary in markets and abattoirs.
It is no longer news that Kogi State is annually flooded. The Kogi State Ministry of Environment developed and maintain drainage plans to control flooding. One high point of the Ministry of Environment under the able leadership of Engr. Joseph is in the Gully/Erosion Control.
The State working in tandem with Kogi State ACReSAL project, Identified, manage, and has rehabilitated gullies and degraded areas across the state.
Towards Flood Mitigation, the Ministry has Manage ecological problems, including the relocation of communities from water channels to reduce the adverse effects of flooding.
Under it Forestry Management, protecting and managing government forest reserves through sustainable practice like Conducting tree planting campaigns to curb deforestation and combat desertification.
Unlike in time past, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with reviewing of EIAs for development projects and conducting Environmental Audit (EA) for existing industries to ensure compliance with environmental laws has been the order of the day under the leadership of Engr. Joseph.
Public Sensitization, that involves raising awareness among citizens regarding environmental hygiene, sanitation, and sustainable practices through mass media communication and Town hall meetings has also occupied the centre stage of the Ministry’s activities.
The success and accomplishment of the Engr. Joseph’s leadership in the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management, is however not without challenges.
There is a strong advocacy for adequate funding and resources, improve Poor waste management infrastructure, curtail Deforestation and desertification. The effect of Climate change impacts (e.g., flooding, drought), need for more public awareness, engagement policy implementation and enforcement, are more that still need to be done.
Though the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management has made relative impact, there is however more that needs to be done for greater productivity towards improving upon and sustaining the trajectory of the Engr. Joseph’s Eco-Warrior Leadership.
A leadership style that prioritizes environmental sustainability and takes bold action to protect the environment.
Thus far, Engr. Joseph’s leaders remains one without exaggeration, champion eco-friendly policies, reduce their carbon footprint, and inspire others to join the fight against environmental degradation.
Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun’s leadership in the Kogi State Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management is therefore a great example of Eco-Warrior Leadership in action.
He has proven and taking concrete steps to address environmental challenges, promoting sustainable practices, and engaging the community in the process.
– Abu Micheal writes from Lokoja.
