By: Kayode Afolabi
In a deliberate efforts to engender a safer, healthier and sustainable environment, stakeholders in Ondo State have been urged to ensure a safe and cleaner environment across the state.
The Ondo State Commissioner for environment, Mr Sunday Akinwalire made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure organised by the Ondo State Environmental Protection Agency, ODSEPA held at the state information technology Agency (SITA hall) on Tuesday.
Akinwalire while commending efforts of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for bringing the agency back after some years of being inexistence, assured that the Government is ready to ensure that the environment is safer for the betterment of the masses.
In an address, the Special Adviser to Ondo State governor on Environment, Hon Oyeniyi Oseni, said the government would enforce compliance with ODSEPA Law, as provide for in Chapter 50 of Ondo State Environmental Protection Agency Law 1993.
Oseni said “Moreso, while we now hold on to our vision to ensure a safer and sustainable environment, we shall strive to carry all stakeholders along in the implementation of our objectives as stated in the Law, in order to achieve our mission of formulating enduring environmental strategies that protect, preserve and restore the State’s eco-system, as well as monitor and mitigate pollution impacts. We have put in place a structure in ODSEPA with capacity to implement our objectives.
“Environmental issues are cross-cutting and affect all segments of our economy as the environment provides life support system to man.
“Therefore, sustainable development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of good environmental governance, which pre-supposes effective and adequate environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement mechanism to address environmental problems at all levels.
“The benefits of enforcement of environmental regulations include creation of employment opportunities, protection of the environment and environmental sustainability.
“While we encourage manufacturing and commercial centers to industrialize the State, we, as Agency of Government saddled with the responsibility of environmental protection, will have zero tolerance for environmental pollutions arising from the activities of the operators, so that people of the State will not suffer unwarranted hardships. That is why this forum must be availed the needed chance to strike a balance between development and sustainability,” the SA said.
Oseni however solicited for the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially the industrial sector, to achieve Governor’s vision for the state.
Speaking Earlier, the Secretary, Ondo state Environmental Protection Agency (ODSEPA), Princess Korede Giwa said the agency is saddled with the responsibility of providing technical & professional assistance to combat Environmental challenges within the State.
“ODSEPA has a mandate of striking a unique balance between social, economic and environmental sustainability, the Environmental Protection is not for government alone, it is a joint effort of all of us.
Giwa however encouraged stakeholders to show enthusiasm towards environmental protection and development.
Other Guests who graced the occasion included, Director General Ondo State Performance and Project Monitoring Implementation Unit (PPIMU) Engr. Babajide Akeredolu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Prophet Asoyin, Mrs Ranti Akerele among others
