By Anthony Ojo
In a bid to protect and regenerate its reserve forests, Ekiti state government has commenced sensitization of stakeholders in forest and environmental management.
The sensitization programme which started in Ado-Ekiti was at the instance of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed management project, NEWMAP, Ekiti state.
Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP is a World Bank assisted programme which started in Nigeria in 2013 to achieve greater environmental and economic security.
Ekiti state joined the list of beneficiaries of the project this year after the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi indicated interest in the programme.
Speaking at the opening of the sensitization programme, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Iyabode Fakunle-Okieimen said the project would be executed in Ado, Ikere, Emure, Ise/Orun, Gbonyin, Oye, Ekiti East, Ekiti Southwest and Ekiti West council areas of the state.
Mrs. Fakunle-Okieimen noted that the forest reserves and the environment had been greatly degraded, hence the decision of government to protect and regenerate them.
The project Coordinator of NEWMAP in Ekiti state, Mr. Seyi Adegbola said the project would address severe gully and soil erosion problems, as well as to promote long term climate resilience.
A resource person at the programme, Mr. Olubunmi Olatiilu who spoke on the theme “A best way to protect and regenerate our reserves in Ekiti state” urged government to strengthen forest regulation institutions and review forestry laws periodically.
Mr. Olatiilu however stressed the need for people to embrace afforestation to ensure watershed and soil erosion protection, as well as mitigate the effect of climate change on them.
