By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, has solicited the support of the media in its various ecological intervention projects implemented by the Office in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.
The Permanent Secretary made the call when she received a delegation of the Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) in her office in Abuja.
According to her “We welcome media partnership because you are the key stakeholder, you will be able to tell our stories, ask us questions and also visit the host communities to ask for the impact such intervention projects have on them.”
Dr Aishetu pointed out that Ecological Project Office is a unique office within the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that intervenes in ecological projects across the six geo-political zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with no record of abandoned project since 2015.
The Permanent Secretary underscored the role of the Office in ensuring that intervention projects are well assessed and properly implemented for the benefits of affected communities.
In his statement, the Chairman of Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN), Mr Chuks Oyema, congratulated the Permanent Secretary and pledged the Association’s unalloyed support and willingness to work with the leadership of EPO to help them deliver on their mandate.
He highlighted the role of EMCAN to include covering the environmental sector and reporting issues relating to the environment, ecological, etc as journalists both in the electronic and print media as well as the online media.
In his opening remarks, Director, Special Duties, Mr Sunday Babatunde warmly welcomed members of the association and thanked the Permanent Secretary for graciously accepting to receiving members of the association within a short notice.
Technical Directors in the Office took turns to give an overview of their departmental inputs in the overall implementation processes of projects.
The Directors include, Mr Clinton Igwe, Pollution Control; Mr Samuel Igagu, mni, Director Drought Desertification and Coastal Zones Management; and Mr Abubakar Takuma, Soil Erosion and Flood Control Departments.
Also present at the event were, Director, Finance & Accounts, Mr Aondoakaa Emmanuel; Director, Procurement, Dr Simon Omachoko; Director, Internal Audit, Mr Ineama Ogbonna and other management staff.
