Kwara State government says plans are underway to introduce additional strategies towards improving the state of the environment in the state.
Commissioner for Environment in the State, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge said the plans are not limited to introduction of compulsory waste bins for every household to ensure a hitch free waste evacuation and appropriate disposal in the state, mandatory planting of trees and creation of water channels in each household.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajia Buge explained that with the introduction of these bins, measures would also be put in place to ensure that residents make relevant payment per household while it becomes the responsibility of Government to ensure waste generated are evacuated accordingly.
She stated this while addressing media practitioners at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Environment on Monday.
The Commissioner further stated that the meeting was preliminary to other engagement with relevant stakeholders in the community to ensure a seamless implementation of the strategies aimed at aligning Kwara State with the global community in responding to the effects of climate change.
According to her, the increasing population in the metropolis is an inevitable reason to plan properly for effective waste management, address climate change, noise pollution, and take necessary mitigating and remedial measures.
The Commissioner maintained that present strategies aimed at addressing indiscriminate dumping of waste is already yielding results but we need to consolidate and adopt sustainable strategies that is backed by appropriate laws.
Hajia Buge noted that to control flood, the construction of drainages would be a basic prerequisite to secure approvals for building new residential houses.
The Commissioner further charged the media team to serve as the Ambassadors of our Environment in propagating these messages towards evolving a climate friendly Kwara.
Also Speaking, Chairman of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, ‘Lanre Ahmed, commended the state government for the initiative and, more importantly, recognizing the media as an important stakeholder.
Contributions in the form of advice, questions, and reactions were entertained from the practitioners in attendance.
Also present at the meeting were the General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, Mr Jide Aina; the Director of Environment, Mrs Mary Mustapha; HoD Climate Change, Mr Iliasu AbdulGaniyu; and Environmental Health Officers of the Ministry, who made relevant contributions.
