EFO SENSITIZES ASA RIVER/ISALE KOKO RESIDENTS, HANDS OVER PROJECT SITE

PRESS RELEASE

EFO SENSITIZES ASA RIVER/ISALE KOKO RESIDENTS, HANDS OVER PROJECT SITE

The EFO has embarked on the sensitization of residents of Asa River/Sale Koko community as it hands over the project site to the Contractor.

Speaking during the event which took place at the bank of Asa River, the Permanent Secretary of Ecological Fund Office (EFO), Dr. Habiba Lawal, represented by Dr. Joel O. Oruche, Deputy Director/Head, Press & PR Unit called for peace and cooperation with the Contractor to ensure quality job and timely delivery of the project within the scheduled period of eighteen (18) months.

Dr. Lawal reiterated President Buhari’s decision to address all the problems of the people irrespective of ethnic, religion, geographical location, including ecological challenges.  She stated that the event was aimed at building bridges of understanding between EFO, Contractors and Host community with a view to resolving issues that may hinder the progress of work.

She advised the host community of the need to shun rancor, violence and conspiracy, extortion and conspiracy against contractors and by extension the Federal Government as no project would be executed in any community that is notorious for harassing contractors.  She therefore urged the people to protect and sustain the project so that the resources which the federal Government has committed would be gainfully utilized and will not be in vain.

Dr Habiba assured the community that the Contractor would engage some of her youths in the execution of the project.

The Commissioner for Environment, Kwara State, Mrs Remilekan Banigbe commended the Federal Government, the Executive Governor of Kwara State and Ecological Fund Office management for bringing development to their community and pleaded with the benefitting community to cooperate with the contractor in executing the project.

In his reaction, the Deputy Chief Whip, Kwara State House of Representative, representing Ilorin East Constituency, Honourable Jimoh Ali Yusuf, while commending Ecological Fund Office for bringing succor to the host community, assured the Contractor of the Community’s maximum cooperation and support as the intervention would bring total solution to the ugly incidents they experienced in the past.

The Kwara State Environmental Task Force Chairman, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah while commending Governor AbdulRahman for facilitating the project, assured the contractor of the community’s cooperation and security.  He pleaded that the community be given sense of belonging by engaging them in the execution of the project

The Team had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Executive Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the Government house.  The Governor commended the Federal Government for the intervention which would bring succor and bring an end the ugly menace and environment degradation being faced by the Isale Koko community over the years.  He pledged the support of the government to the contractor.

The Guests was entertained and thrilled by local dancing group who came en-masse to appreciate the Federal Government benevolence to the community.

The event was well attended by the Permanent Secretary of Kwara State Ministry of Environment, Pastor Abraham Koko Ojo, Directors and senior staff of Kwara State Ministry of Environment, Chairperson of Technical Implementation Committee (TIC), Hon. Rahmat Ayobanni Seriki, men/women group and youths who pledge their support for the contractor.

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Obegolu, Amala G. C.

Before Project intervention

L-R, Kwara State Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Remilekan Banigbe; Contractor; Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Environment, Pastor Abraham Kojo Ojo; Consultant (3^rd Right); Deputy Director, Press & PR, EFO, Dr Joel O. Oruche (Extreme Right): and other dignitaries during project design handover