Governor Yahaya Bello has restated his administration’s commitment to sustaining and managing the environment prudently to improve the living standard of people in Kogi state.
The governor made the disclosure during the distribution of tricycles and waste receptacles to communities in Lokoja on Thursday.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Victor Omofaiye said the gesture is to help the communities combat erosion and to maintain a healthy environment.
Bello said his determination is driven by the irrevocable vision of attaining a cleaner and sustainable environment for the people.
The Governor noted that the commitment of his administration to the health and wellbeing of the state made him consistently pay counterpart funds for Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
He called on the people of the state to assist his administration to achieve its aims on changing people’s attitude to waste disposal, warning that the administration would not tolerate acts of dumping refuse indiscriminately which could jeopardize its efforts.
He charged the benefiting communities to place the giant receptacles at the strategic places in their communities where it will be easy for the waste collection, and then use the tricycles to convey the waste to the dump sites.
He charged the beneficiaries to make good use of the materials and ensure their sustenance.
He warned them against converting the investment to personal use, saying the project is capable of generating employment as waste will be converted to wealth.
Earlier, the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Barrister Ladi Ahmed Jatto explained that the need to sustain the effort at finding long-lasting solution to challenges posed by erosion and other forms of environmental menace in the state culminated in the provision of the materials.
According to her, this will help to boost the fight against land degradation, as well as mitigate any environmental impacts on the people.
She applauded Governor Bello for providing the necessary leadership and support for the Agency to deliver on her mandates, noting that the prompt payment of the counterpart fund had enhanced the successes recorded by the agency.
While enjoining the beneficiaries to take advantage of the training for the betterment of their environment and the good of the people, Barr. Jatto implored to cultivate the culture of maintenance and protection.
Responding on behalf of the benefiting communities, Chief Yakubu Shaibu Mohammed thanked NEWMAP and the state government for prioritizing the welfare and well-being of rural dwellers.
He promised that the materials would be properly managed, maintained and put to judicious utilization.
Five Communities, namely, Lokoja, Adum (Ofu LGA) Ogane Aji (Ankpa LGA), Ozuomi (Adavi) and Agasa in Okene (LGA) benefitted from the largesse.
