By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
GOVERNOR DAPO Abiodun has identified indiscriminate mining activities as the primary cause of erosions in Ogun State.
Speaking during a visit from the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ecological Fund at his office in Abeokuta, Abiodun urged federal mining agencies to closely monitor miners to prevent further ecological damage.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor expressed readiness to collaborate with the federal government to stop environmental degradation, stating, “We need to address the root cause of erosion.
Mining activities leave land exposed, causing severe erosion, especially during rainfall. Proper restoration of mined sites is essential to prevent such issues.”
The committee was in the state to inspect areas affected by gully erosion and other natural disasters. Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Sina Oyedeji, emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation in Ijebu-Ode, where gully erosion threatens several sites.
“The condition is alarming. Without intervention, Ijebu-Ode is at great risk,” he said.
Hon. Oyedeji and his team, accompanied by the Ogun State Commissioner for the Environment, Hon. Ola Oresanya, inspected erosion sites in Isheri and Ifo Local Government Area, assuring residents that their concerns would be raised with relevant government agencies.
Oresanya attributed the persistent erosion in Ijebu-Ode to a 1985 earth tremor and stressed the need for long-term solutions.
Ogun Affirms Support for EFCC
In a separate development, the Ogun State Government refuted reports that it had joined other states in challenging the constitutionality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the state clarified that its legal dispute pertains to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)’s Financial Guidelines, which it claims unfairly restrict the financial operations of state and local governments.
The state government emphasized its support for federal law enforcement and said its lawsuit seeks to invalidate specific NFIU guidelines that impede governance at the state and local levels.
Residents Encouraged on Backyard Farming
Meanwhile, Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, has encouraged civil servants to engage in backyard farming to boost food security.
Speaking at a capacity-building program for World Food Day (WFD), Onasanya emphasized the importance of household involvement in agriculture, citing the health and economic benefits.
He noted that the training is part of the state’s efforts to address food insecurity, with anticipated reductions in malnutrition and increased access to animal protein and fresh produce for families.
