Edo Needs N160bn to tackle Ecological problems _ Agbomhere
By DADA AYOKHAI
The Edo State government is seeking to raise N160 billion to address its ecological challenges, as it lacks the financial strength to tackle the issues on its own.
According to Blessing Agbomhere, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Ecological Fund and Management Commission, the state is exploring alternative funding sources to address the growing problem of gully erosion and other ecological concerns.
Agbomhere who spoke at press parley said the fund would be raised through the Ecological/Climate Trust.
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.
He stated that the over 60 gully erosion sites would be tacked in phases.
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 access all the negative ecological impact sites in the state.
”We were devastated about what we saw. I never believed Edo has been devastated by gully erosion until we did our assessment tour.
”Edo State budget for three years cannot resolve the gully problem. To resolve and remediate one gully, we need between N5bn to 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 to 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.
He added, “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.”
