By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Ecological Project Office (EPO) says it has over 4,000 requests for intervention in areas with ecological challenges in its data bank.
The Permanent Secretary, EPO, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, disclosed this when he received the Provost of the College of Education (Special), Oyo, Oyo State, Prof. Usman Kamoru in his office in Abuja.
A press release by Mrs Eno Olotu, Deputy Director, Press & Public Relations said the Permanent Secretary also received the Hon Commissioner for Environment, Cross River State, Hon Moses Osogi in his office.
The press release said the Permanent Secretary expressed delight over call to partner with relevant stakeholders to tackle the ecological issues in the country, stating that partnership is key in the resolution of common issues.
According to the press release, during the visit of the Cross Rivers team, the Permanent Secretary advised that requests made for intervention to the office should always indicate specific areas sort so as to enable the office align them with its mandate for Mr President’s approvals.
“He assured that the Federal Government will continue to do its best to fulfil its mandate while soliciting partnership with the states and relevant stakeholders in addressing the ecological challenges across the country.
“In a related development, the Permanent Secretary also received in audience, the Provost of the College of Education (Special), Oyo, Oyo State, Prof. Usman Kamoru. He informed that educational institutions were also considered and given priority in government’s intervention efforts and advised the provost to prioritize the area of the requested intervention by EPO.
“Malam Ibrahim also disclosed that presently, the office has over 4,000 requests in its data bank which will require huge resources to address and assured that government will do its best within available resources to tackle the menace.
“In his earlier remarks, the Hon Commissioner of Environment, Cross River State, Hon Moses Osogi, said it was important to form a synergy with the Federal Government through EPO as the state was peculiar and strategic with over 50% of the forestry reserves including vast areas of topical high forest, montane forest, savannas and saltwater swamps in the country. According to him, “Cross River State is promoting the entire world”.
“He however decried the erosion challenge in the state and explained that the people live in serious threat and perpetual fear whenever Cameroon releases water from its Lagdo dam as the state is one of the states that suffers from its devastating effects.
“Hon Osogi therefore appealed to the Federal Government through EPO to come to the aid of the state, stating, “Cross River is suffering from flood, please open your doors to us”.
“Similarly, Provost of the College of Education (Special), Oyo, Prof Usman Kamoru appealed for speedy intervention on the devastating menace of erosion at the institute. He explained that the situation became worse a few years ago following the damage done at the dam near the school as a result of the heavy rainfall of that year.
“He said that several efforts have been made by the school to remedy the situation but to no avail hence the need to escalate it to the Federal Government.”
