The Edo State Government says it is intensifying environmental enforcement, improving waste management and expanding flood control measures to build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment for residents.
The Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Barrister Nosa Adams shared these update and other ongoing interventions of the government during a joint media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Strategy on Wednesday.
The briefing which featured the Managing Directors of Edo State Parks and Garden Agency and Edo State Waste Management Authority provided an opportunity for officials to outline achievements recorded so far and unveiled plans aimed at strengthening environmental protection, sanitation and beautificatiin across the state.
According to the Commissioner, the Ministry has conducted environmental audits in over two hundred and thirty industrial and commercial facilities across Edo State to curb indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly hazardous industrial waste.
He disclosed that ninety-three abatement notices have been issued to environmental offenders, while thirty violators have already been prosecuted.
He added that more than sixty environmental compliance monitoring visits have also been carried out at mining and solid mineral excavation sites to ensure operators comply with environmental regulations.
Barrister Adams further revealed that four poultry and piggery farms have been shut down for violating environmental pollution laws following complaints snf Petitions from residents.
On flood control, the Commissioner said regular desilting of drainage channels is ongoing in several parts of Benin City, including Uselu-Lagos Road and S and T Barracks, while erosion control interventions have been carried out at Ihama Road near the Military Hospital and Boundary Road by Adesuwa amingd other locations.
According to him, the second phase of the Benin Storm Water Project will commence soon following the payment of the state’s 800 million naira counterpart funding.
Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Commission, Lucky Inegbenehi, said waste collection has become more efficient with the recruitment of an additional five hundred street sweepers and the deployment of more waste management equipment. He urged residents to patronise only government-approved waste collectors and report operators who fail to evacuate refuse despite collecting payment.
Also speaking, Managing Director of the Edo State Parks and Garden Agency, Chief John Ebo, blamed the destruction of flowers, gates and other public installations on acts of vandalism by some residents, urging citizens to protect government facilities and support ongoing efforts to beautify the state.