The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Ecological Fund and Management Commission, Blessing Agbomhere, has unveiled plans by the state government to raise N160 bn to tackle ecological challenges.
Agbomhere, who spoke at a press parley on Wednesday, said the fund would be raised through the Ecological/Climate Trust, revealing that the Okpebholo Green Revolution for Edo would be launched next week.
He said the state opted to raise funds because its three-year budget would not be enough to remediate gully erosion sites across the state, adding that the over 60 gully erosion sites would be tackled in phases.
Agbomhere, who raised the alarm over increasing illegal sand mining sites in several communities in Edo South Senatorial District, said the operators have no plans to remediate the sites after their operations.
Besides the raising of funds to tackle ecological challenges, Agbomhere said the state planned to plant one million trees in four years.
He said, “We went round Edo State after we were inaugurated to assess all the negative ecological impact sites in the state.
“We were devastated about what we saw. I never believed Edo had been devastated by gully erosion until we did our assessment tour.
“The Edo State budget for three years cannot resolve the gully problem. To resolve and remediate one gully, we need between N5bn and N6bn. We have some that will cost N20bn. Edo State alone cannot solve the issue because the budget is for many projects.
“We are expecting to raise N160bn to solve the ecological problem. The Trust Fund is to be able to resolve ecological challenges. We cannot remediate all the gullies, so we have to do them in phases.
“Part of our plan is to turn these gully sites into tourist attractions. We will restore, conserve and preserve. We are already designing projects that we will put in every gully we remediate.”
On illegal sand mining, Agbomhere said the sites were already creating gullies that would become problems in the future, explaining, “A lot of companies are operating in Edo State. After their operation, they will leave the state without remediating the environment. We are calling on them to tell us their plans of remediation when they leave.”
The state, especially Edo North Senatorial District, has been most hit by gully erosion, which has destroyed houses and farmland and displaced residents.
The government had taken steps in the past to find a solution to the perennial problem. Desilting has been done to prevent erosion, while it has partnered with international organisations to put an end to the problem of gullies.
However, the latest move by the government is expected to help put an end to the issue.
