The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku

  • Ecological Fund: Obaseki remedies gully sites

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tapped into the Ecological Fund to remedy gully sites in Auchi, Fugar and Agenebode axis in Edo North Senatorial zone of the state.

    This is coming after works were completed at the Ewu, Ibore and Queen Ede gully sites carried out by the Edo State Government and its partners.  

    Addressing journalists at the commissioning of the erosion and flood control projects in Agenebode, Etsako-East Local Government Area of the state, Obaseki, represented by Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, said his administration was doing a lot and working with the Federal Government to tackle erosion and flooding across the state.

    He said that the state government has completed 18 flood control projects and is mapping out more strategies to mitigate flooding in the state.

    Obaseki noted, “We are looking at afforestation and planting of more trees and grasses to prevent erosion and flooding in the state. We have embarked on sensitization campaigns in flood-prone areas and have also commenced assessment of the damage. We have also started the distribution of relief materials. People should not build on low-lands because the sea-level is rising as a result of climate change.”

    At the commissioning, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Senator Benjamin Uwujumogu said the projects were executed by the Ecological Fund Office in the Presidency, to control flooding issues in the affected area.

    Read Also: Letter to Godwin Obaseki (3)

    He said over 48 projects are being executed by the Ecological Fund Office to tackle problems of desertification, soil erosion and flooding in the country.

    “Before now, the people of Agenebode and environs have been suffering from flooding occasioned by heavy downpours but the Federal Government has brought succour to them by constructing a drain system measuring about 15 meters high,” he said,

    The Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode, His Royal Majesty, Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor, commended the Federal and state governments for tackling the flood problems in the area.

  • Edo shuts 10 illegal burrow pits

    Edo State Government has begun enforcement of the order on illegal burrows, by shutting operations of not less than 10 burrow pits in Benin City, the state capital, in a renewed drive to safeguard the state’s environmental integrity.

    The enforcement team was led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Bright Emeodume Esq. and the Ministry’s Director of Enforcement, Mr. Ero Isaac.

    The affected burrow pits are located in Ofumwegbe after Iguogboe community as well as those in Iguoshodin Ccommunity, among others.

    Recall that the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability ordered the closure of burrow pits by operators with immediate effect, citing health and environmental concerns.

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku Esq., the state government suspended operations on all burrow pits.

    Read Also: Edo IGR hits N2bn monthly

    The order, which took effect from August 2, warned owners and operators of burrow pits, haulage operators, tipper drivers and other stakeholders, that operation of a burrow pit without the appropriate approval is a criminal offence punishable by law.

    Oni-Okpaku explained that the shutting down of burrow pit operations was to enable the state government “re-evaluate and re-certify the sites.”

    According to the Commissioner, “Towards this end, all such owners and operators are required to report to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability for re-certification and subsequent inspection of their sites. For the avoidance of doubts, the following documents will be required for the exercise: operating licence issued by the Federal Ministry of Mines, Steel and Solid Minerals; Evidence of Environment Impact Assessment carried out on the sites; Evidence of remediation levies and Health, Safety and Environmental Plans.”

     

  • Edo suspends forest exploitation

    The Edo State Government has suspended the exploitation of forest resources within and outside forest reserves in the state, as licences for tree logging in the state expired since June 30.

    In a statement, the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, noted, “Timber licensees, saw-millers and timber contractors are hereby informed that all permits to exploit forest produce within and outside forest reserves expired on June 30, 2018.”

    Read Also:Obaseki and challenges of development in Edo

    She explained that “In view of the above, all forms of forest exploitation and logging activities within the forest reserves and ‘free areas’ of the state are hereby suspended with immediate effect.”

    The suspension of the activities, according to her, is in line with “Section 41 (1) (2) and 44 (1) and (2) of the Forestry Law.”

    The commissioner said further development relating to the expiration of permits and suspension of forest exploitation would be communicated to the concerned stakeholders on a subsequent date.

    Recall that the state government shut down burrow pits in the state recently, citing threat to the integrity of the environment, danger of flash floods and the need to avoid health hazards.

    The government announced the shutdown on August 2, noting that the move became necessary in order not to predispose the state to environmental hazards.

    In a statement, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability said, “for the information of the general public and in particular, the owners and operators of burrow pits, haulage operators, tipper drivers and other stakeholders, that all operations of burrow pits are shut down with effect from Thursday 2nd August 2018.”

    She added that the directive is to enable the state government “re-evaluate and re-certify the sites to ensure that they do not constitute hazards and environmental degradation,” and urged owners and operators of the pits to report to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability for re-certification and subsequent inspection of their sites.

     

  • Obaseki swears-in Oni-Okpaku as Environment Commissioner 

    …says govt in a hurry to transform sector

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sworn-in Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku as the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability in the state, following her confirmation by members of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Speaking at the event that took place at the Government House, shortly before the weekly Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, Obaseki charged the new commissioner to adopt best practice in the management of the environment as his “administration is in a hurry to address challenges in the sector.”

    He urged the environment commissioner to bring her wealth of experience to make the desired positive change in the ministry, and advised her to eschew acts that could derail the progress that has been recorded in the sector.

    Read Also:Democracy Day: Obaseki lauds Edo people for unflinching support

    The governor assured that he was optimistic about the capacity of the new commissioner to transform the sector, considering her background in the sector, and maintained that “We did not feel it was right that Owan West Local Government Area was not represented in our cabinet.”

    He warned: “Your coming to join us is for service and not for self-enrichment.”

    In her remark, Oni-Okpaku pledged her loyalty to the government and assured that she would live up to the confidence reposed in her.

    She said the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability under her watch, would engage youths in the protection and preservation of the environment, in line with the state government’s Keep Edo Clean Project and other programmes.

    Recall that governor Obaseki forwarded the name of Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku as commissioner nominee to the Edo State House of Assembly for confirmation recently, following the sack of the former Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Reginald Okun.

  • Obaseki appoints Oni-Okpaku as Commissioner

    … Imariagbe as GM, Waste Mgt. Board

     

    Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has appointed Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku as commissioner nominee and has forwarded her name to the Edo State House of Assembly for confirmation.

    The governor has also appointed Osadebamen Charles Imariagbe as the General Manager of the Edo State Waste Management Board.

    In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Alhaji) Adjoto Kabiru, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. said “I am directed by the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki to humbly forward for consideration and confirmation by the House of Assembly, the name of Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku as commissioner nominee.

    In the appointment letter by Ogie to Imariagbe, he said, “I write to inform you that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, has approved your appointment as General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board.”