The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, weekend disclosed that the federal government has established four Hectares of forest plantation at Ago Owu Forest Reserve in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun state.
This is just as Governor Adegboyega Oyetola lamented pollution of waters and threat to the environment by artisanal miners in the state.
The duo of the Minister and the Governor spoke at the 2021 World Environment Day Celebration in Osogbo, Osun state capital.
According to the Minister, the celebration themed “Ecosystem Restoration – Resetting Our Relation With Nature,” was held in Osun for the first time the celebration would hold outside Abuja.
The Minister disclosed that awareness creation and advocacy targeting local and larger communities, schools and other stakeholders, has also been concluded in the state, assuring that the federal government will continue to partner Osun in making the environment safe for national development.
Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, stated that there are lot of challenges despite his efforts to ensure that a good environment.
He said, “apart from the illegal felling of trees, we have a threat to the environment through artisanal mining. The level of damage to our environment is so huge.
“As we speak, we have the pollution of the Osun river, which is a major river here. The Kajola and Ilesha water works we are trying to put together is being threatened by the pollution of the Osun river.
“This is a problem in our environment and the degradation is so huge. Perhaps, at the appropriate time, we will be speaking with the Minister to see how best we can be assisted in that area.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon Sola Oladepo, appesled to traditional rulers to join hands with the government and encourage plantation establishment in their various domains.
