EFO: Responding to ecological problems nationwide

With incessant flood and erosion in some parts of the country, the federal government through the Ecological Fund Office has swung into action by tackling the problems in some communities.
HELEN OJI reports that the nightmare still persists in most parts of Nigeria.
Background The Ecological Fund is indeed an intervention establishing firm to address the ecological problems ravaging communities across the country.
The fund which originally received 1% of the federation account in 1992 from its inception in 1981, it has been a first line charge which provides handy resources for amelioration of ecological problems such as soil erosion, flood, drought, desertification, oil spillage, general environmental pollution, storm, tornadoes, bush fire, crop pest, landslide, earthquakes etc.
The enabling statut has over the years placed the fund under the control of the Head of the Federal Government; to be disbursed and managed in accordance with such directives as may be issued from time to time.
The federal government has also made commitment to accelerate development in all part of the country irrespective of its geographical or political considerations.
The project was executed by the federal government through the Ecological Fund Office (EFO) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Federal government embark on several project across the country through ecological fund office with the aim of tackling the problems and the project was initiated through a request for urgency intervention in order to arrest the continuous erosion and flood menace in the affected communities.
Maska Earth Dam in Funtua The purpose for which the project was awarded is to address the decay and the degradation of the Dam that provides water for agriculture and for other uses to the communities within the area.
Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu said that the objective was to boost the capacity of the Dam in order to provide adequate water for farming and grazing, especially during the dry season also commissioned and handed over the reconstructed Maska Earth Dam in Funtua Local Government Area in Katsina state.
While expressing his delight over the quality of the work done on the Dam, Engr.
Adamu reiterated the federal government that no part of the country would be left out in terms of infrastructural provisions irrespective of political affiliation or geographical locations.
He expressed optimism that the project would set the stage for the reinvigoration of agricultural production and other economic activities needed to stabilize the socioeconomic lives of the people of Maska, Funtua and the environs.
The Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Dr.
Habiba Lawal, who was represented by the Deputy Director, EFO, Mr. Awwal Sani enjoined the benefitting communities to ensure the care and sustenance of the Dam so as to reap the benefits.
She further stressed that the communities should not allow the huge resources which the Government has committed to the project to be wasted.
The representatives of the communities who spoke in Hausa including the Magaji Maska, Alh. Abdullahi Umar appreciated the federal government for coming to their rescue.
They also requested for the extension of the project.
On the spot assessment shows that the Dam serves a multi-purpose function for the communities within Maska, as people were seen fishing, bathing, washing, growing crops and grazing their animals.
“The commissioning and handing over of this laudable project to the benefactors will no doubt make them take over the ownership of the project, to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.
The resources which the Federal Government had committed to this project must not be allowed to waste.
Tambuwal-Dogondaji community In Tambuwal Local Government Area of the state, the communities where erosion and flood are ravaging the communities and which was done and later commissioned by Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni.
Controlling ecological dangers He noted that the project was aimed to control the enormity of danger posed by the ecological challenges in three communities of the council which have remained worrisome over the years before the intervention.
The minister reasoned that the federal government is executing projects across the country to demonstrate the sincerity of purpose toward entrenching justice, equity and fair play to all and sundry.
According to him, the approval of this project was that no part of the country will suffer neglect owing to its geographical locations or political consideration.
The completion of the project would enhance the living standard of the people and at the same time reduce dangers to life and property associated with erosion and persistent flooding which have been experienced in communities in recent times.
“The determination to continue with the implementation of all genuine government policies, agreements and contracts at both national and international levels,” Ocheni explained.
Indiscriminate dump of refuse He implored the host communities to cherish the project by preventing indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage channels saying, “It is the responsibility of the community to own and maintain the project to ensure its substantiality.” Establishment of NESREA offices Meanwhile, The National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency, (NESREA) is to establish three new offices in Abia, Ogun and Adamawa states as a measure for proper environmental monitoring.
Director-General of NESREA, Dr. Lawrence Anukam who stated this in Jalingo, explained that the decision would help to create awareness and help in addressing serious environmental issues before they get out of hand.
He said the agency is ready to work with the Taraba state government to deal with poor waste management practices deviling the state.
Environmental protection He explained that its mandate is to protect the environment and build partnership with stakeholders especially at state levels by establishing a field office, stressing that the agency would do it to sustain it.
“Additional three new offices would be set up in Abia, Ogun and Adamawa.
This is a veritable springboard for cooperation with state governments, particularly in the area of environmental protection,” Ankam said.
“We are very conscious of our responsibility to continue to create the enabling environment for economic growth in these states.
We want governors to support us to achieve our objectives.
He thanked the Agency’s Governing Council Chairman, former deputy governor of Oyo state, Iyiola Oladokun, Taraba State Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Rebecca Manasseh, for their cooperation.
Gov Ishaku’s take In a remark, the Taraba State Governor; Darius Dickson Ishaku, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Jellason revealed that the state have been bedeviled with a lot of challenges ranging from soil erosion, flooding, desertification and solicited for help from NESREA.
He maintained that based on the environmental hazards, the state government saw the need to collaborate with NESREA to establish its presence in the state by curbing the various environmental menace especially waste management