Ekiti Ministry Of Environment Visits Lagos Counterpart, Seek Areas Of Collaboration 

By Olarewaju Falayi

The officials of the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has visited it’s Lagos State counterpart to seek areas of collaboration in the management of wastes in the State. 

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The above visit became necessary due to the mandate given to the Ministry officials by the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to reposition the vision and mission of the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

As a result of the directive of Mr Governor, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in Ekiti State, Chief Mrs. Tosin Aluko led a powerful delegation to Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to understudy the various workable operations and replicate same in Ekiti State.

Chief Mrs Aluko and her team on arriving Lagos State, were warmly received by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, and thereafter proceeded on the touring of the facilities and locations necessary for them to study. 

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources while speaking during the tour, explained extensively the purpose of the visit, and stressed that the team came to tap from their knowledge of wealth of experiences on how  Lagos  State  Government has gone far to ensure environmental stability and stable climate through forest regeneration, ensuring a beautiful and attractive environment where drains and channels are well constructed and maintained, protection of environment, conservation of natural resources and prevention of environmental degradation amongst others. 

Aluko further noted that understanding and adopting the best practices in Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would definitely have a positive impact that would transform the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment.

In his welcome remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Tokunbo Wahab applauded the Ekiti State Governor for deeming it fit for the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment to understudy workable operations in his Ministry. He noted that the visit was an indication that the Lagos State is performing greatly.

Mr. Tokunbo Wahab further, wished the Ekiti State team a successful stay, he urged them to feel free to ask questions and seek clarity on whatever issues bothering them.

The Ekiti State team visited the Permanent  Secretary and all Directors-Office of Drainage Services (responsible for dredging and desiltation), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA; the Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency, LASPARK; Departments of Nature Conservation and Ecology Department, Climate Change & Environmental Planning, Environmental  Assessment Department. 

Other places visited included Water Laboratory, Toxicology Laboratory, Waste Water Laboratory, Microbiology Laboratory, Sensitive Laboratory, of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

The delegation includes Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Babatunde Alokan, Project Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, General Manager, Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, Engr. Ayoola Osalusi, General Manager, State Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Kayode Adunmo and Director, Environmental Health and Sanitation, Mr. Tunde Balogun. The official tour is on going.