By George George Idowu
The Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Kogi State, Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun, with other team members from the Federal Ministry of Environment, have gone on an assessment of major gully erosion sites in an effort to address ecological challenges in the state
The assessment of the erosion site happened recently in Lokoja, the capital of the state.
According to Oluwasegun, the assessment aims to evaluate the extent of erosion damage and identify strategies for mitigation and sustainable management.
He said: “The purpose of this assessment is to thoroughly evaluate the severity of erosion damage and identify effective strategies for mitigating its impact and achieving sustainable management solutions.”
He appreciated the state government’s commitment to finding lasting solutions to gully erosion caused by recurrent flooding, highlighting it as a major environmental concern.
He said the collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment is expected to lead to effective strategies for managing gully erosion and restoring ecological balance in the affected areas.
During the assessment, Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf emphasized the need for urgent intervention.
In his words: “The situation is dire, and we can not afford to fold our arms. We must work together to restore the waterways to their former glory and ensure a sustainable environment for our people.”
Speaking on behalf of the assessment team, Engr. Bamidele Peters stated that the assessment aims to gather data necessary for developing effective mitigation strategies.
He noted that flooding is a major cause of gully erosion in Kogi State but emphasized the need to identify other contributing factors and their impacts on the environment and community.
He said: “We will also engage with local residents and stakeholders to gather their insights and concerns in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
“With this information, we can develop effective strategies to mitigate the effects of gully erosion, restore the ecosystem, and improve the overall quality of life for the people of Lokoja,” he explained
The team noted pollution, sedimentation, and vegetation overgrowth as issues to be addressed. Areas visited included Kabawa, Sarkin Noma, Barracks, and Otokiti. Joining the Commissioner’s entourage was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management, Alhaji Jibrin Saidu.
