Lagos assures erosion-prone areas of ecological fund benefits

The Lagos State Government has said residents of erosion prone areas across the state will enjoy the benefits of ecological funds after its release by the Federal Government.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahad, said this on Friday when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Ecology funds visited the state for a first-hand experience of some of the erosion prone areas for proper allocation of the funds.

He called for a continuous collaboration between the Federal Government and the state towards ensuring a sustainable development of all parts, and providing a quality living environment for all residents.

He added that officials of the state government had earlier in 2019 conducted a comprehensive assessment on all erosion affected areas and requested funds from the Federal Government to resolve the issues, noting that the state still awaits the Ecological and Intervention funds approval to fix some of the ecological challenges in the state.

According to a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, on Friday, the commissioner stated that the funds would be deployed to some projects which had been identified to address the devastating effects of erosion and flood in the affected communities.

“I believe very soon, our people are going to enjoy the benefits of these funds; According to what the Vice chairman just said, the Federal government had to pause on the disbursement of ecological funds deliberately which shows that it plans to rework the allocation process to ensure it becomes more effective,” Wahab added.

The inspected areas include; Orimolade  Street, off College Road, Alade Bucknor Estate, off Fagba Road, Sango Toll Gate Bridge, Lagos/ Abeokuta Expressway, Maidan / Agiliti area of Ketu and Agboyi Ketu.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Oyedeji Oyeshina, revealed that the Federal Government had decided to pause on the use of the ecological funds in order to allow the committee conduct holistic assessment and give necessary advice concerning the disbursement of the funds to states.