Ekiti Monarch Begs FG For More Ecological Projects

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

    One of the damaged roads to be reconstructed by Ecological Project Office 

The traditional ruler of Ado–Ekiti,  Dr. Rufus Adejuyigbe has appealed to the federal government for more ecological projects in Ekiti State, saying that many erosion- prone areas in Ado-Ekiti required urgent attention. 

He stated this in Ekiti state during the sensitisation of the residents on the commencement of flood and erosion–control projects in Ado-Ekiti and Ekiti South-West, organised by the Ecological Project Office (EPO). Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

Represented by Chief Sola Olanrewaju, the royal father was delighted over the project and commended EPO for its interventions in the state. 

He pleaded with the EPO and its contractors to always liaise with traditional rulers and community leaders of the host communities, in order to avoid violence and harassment from locals during the construction of any project. 

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of EPO, Dr. Habiba Lawal advised that genuine and legitimate demands should be channeled through community heads and traditional rulers, who, would in turn forward such complaints to EPO rather than resorting to violence that would lead to slow pace of work.

Lawal, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Pollution Control department of EPO, Mrs. Kolade Esther, sought the support of the communities, just as she harped on the need for peaceful and conducive atmosphere devoid of rancor and acrimony during the implementation period.

The permanent secretary enjoined the communities to maintain peace and tranquility for timely completion of the projects, pleading with them to protect the project to avoid wasting the resources that the federal government invested on the project. 

On his part,  the Director of Press and Public Relation, EPO, Dr. Joel Oruche stated that the project is expected to be completed within six months, advising the community to report any pitfall on the project to the traditional ruler rather than engaging in violence with the contractor. 

The Commissioner for Environment, Ekiti State, Hon Iyabode Fakunle Okhiemen commended the federal government for the project.

 Reprresented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Paul Ayodele Adeyanju, he said that Ado-Ekiti and Ekiti South-West local governments have series of ecological challenges that required urgent intervention. 

Okhiemen said that Ekiti is a peace-loving state and pleaded with the contractors to  to deliver quality project for the communities.