The Federal Government of Nigeria has recently commissioned and handed over Erosion and Flood control works executed through the Ecological Fund Office domiciled in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the Osun State Government for the benefit of Oke Ayo and Oke Oye communities in Ilesha East Local Government Area.
The formal commissioning/ handover ceremony was performed by the leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on behalf of President Muhamadu Buhari.
Delivering Mr. President’s keynote address, Hon. Femi applauded the effort of the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in attracting project of such magnitude to his people. He therefore encouraged the people of Osun State to appreciate their Governor for drawing the Federal allocation to the state considering many communities seeking for Ecological intervention through the limited Ecological Fund that accrues to the Federal Government.
Reiterating President Muhamadu Buhari’s promise that no part of the country would be left out in his development strive irrespective of tribe religion or political considerations, he also assured the audience of the Present Administration’s commitment to continue with the implementation of all genuine government policies, agreements and contracts at both national and international levels.
Earlier in her speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Dr. Habiba Lawal who was represented by the Deputy Director, Soil Erosion and Flood Control, Mr. Mathias Elumah explained to the audience that the project was among the third quarter projects approved by Mr. President in 2017 following a request by the community to help arrest erosion and flood menace in the area.
While appreciating the contractor, the consultant and the Ecological Fund Office team for a timely completion of the project, she intimated the audience on the importance of the commissioning and handover exercise which was to enable the host community take over and at the same time exercise ownership over the project in order to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.
Osun State Governor, Ogeni Rauf Aregbesola who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Idowu Korede reminded the people of Osun state that the Federal Government has been complementing the effort of the state Government in many ways. He pointed out to them that a similar project was commissioned in May at Oshogbo area of the state and two others in ila and Ikirun areas respectively. He thanked the Federal Government on behalf of the State Government and admonished the host communities to desist from dumping refuse in the drains.
Members of the communities who spoke in Yoruba language testified that the completion of the project has brought a great relief to them as they did not experience flood nor erosion this rainy season unlike other past years. Thanking the Federal Government for coming to their rescue, they wish to have a second phase of the project.
Present at the occasion were: Members of House of Representatives, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye and Hon. Jimi Benson; HRH Oba Moses Olusegun Akeju who represented Owa Obokun of Ilesha land; Ilesha East Local Government Staff; members of the communities and the Press.
Iheoma-hart Queenet C (Mrs.)
Snr. Information Officer
For: DD (Press)
Ecological Fund Office
OSGF
