…..Flags off 10 million tree planting programme
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City.
The Edo State government, yesterday said plans have reached a feverish stage to establish forestry protection force to fight Banditry across the State forest reserves, which have illegally converted as bases for kidnappings and other nefarious activities.
Governor Godwin Obaseki revealed this while flagging-off 10 million tree planting programme at Upper Sokponba forest reserve in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State.
He said the initiative would help to keep the forest and our land safe by ensuring that bandits cannot use the forest as bases to foster criminality with the support of forest guards, security agencies, Edo State Vigilante Network.
According to him, “Along with our forest regeneration drive, we also want to keep our forest and our land safe. With your support and all other security agencies in the State, we will be reestablishing a forestry protection force to ensure that bandits cannot use our forest as bases to foster criminality.
“As a government, which is committed to the security of lives and property of its citizens, we are determined to keep the feat which we have already recorded in terms of security in the State and ensure that kidnappings, armed robbery, land grabbing and other criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum.
“Our security strategy is hinged on the collaboration between the national security and the Edo Sate Vigilante Network so that community participation is a key driver of our security plan.
Speaking on the essence of the tree planting programme, Governor Obaseki, said due to environmental degradation arising from adverse weather conditions and threat to livelihoods, his government is collaborating with private sector and all Communities to regenerate degraded and depleted forest reserves in the State for environmental sustainability.
The Governor said discussions are ongoing to establish Bendel Commission, which will help to foster mutual cooperation collaboration on economic, security, cultural and environmental matters between Edo and Delta States.
He recalled the history of the creation of Edo State and highlighted his economic intervention plan towards repositioning the State Civil and Public Services on the path of greatness including EDOBEST programme and Edo Jobs.
“We must balance environmental sustainability with livelihood and quickly reclaim our expansive forest land for the present and future generation.
“We are therefore commencing discussion to establish Bendel Commission. This Commission will foster mutual cooperation collaboration on economic, security, cultural and environmental matters between Edo and Delta States”, he said.
Obaseki who described Coronavirus pandemic otherwise known as one of the greatest threats in nation’s history due to global death toll, appealed to residents of the State inoculate themselves against Covid-19 vaccine in order to attain head immunity against the deadly virus.
“We have have continued to invest in our youths through various programme spearheaded by the Edo skills and Development Agency and Edo Jobs, which have given birth to numerous enterprises in the Edo production hub to the Edo tech hub and Edo creative hub.
“In the next few decades, Edo State will become a tech hub in Nigeria as we create more partnership to tonnes of young people as competent software developers and tech solution providers.
“Although some of the challenges that beset us today may be different from the ones that beset our forebears, however, concerted and sustained efforts to overcome adversity is very much assured.
“In the face of difficulty, we remain bold, decisive and united as these values have always guaranteed our survival, advancement and triumph”, according to him.
Earlier in a remark, the Chairperson, Edo at 30 programme, Mrs. Julie Odigie-Oyegun, described the tree planting as a mark of a glorious future and significant.
She commended Governor Obaseki for prioritising the welfare of the people and for helping to preserve nature.