Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Ikpea, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government to effectively tackle the growing ecological challenges confronting communities across the district.
Senator Ikpea made the call during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, as part of ongoing efforts to secure a coordinated Federal Government response to the worsening environmental degradation in Edo Central.
The intervention is aimed at addressing critical issues, including erosion, gully expansion, flooding, and other ecological threats impacting lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure within the senatorial district.
During the meeting, the lawmaker highlighted the devastating impact of ecological degradation on lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, farmlands, and economic activities across the district.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response involving relevant Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), under the leadership and coordinating framework of the Office of the SGF.
It would be recalled that Senator Ikpea recently championed legislative action on the floor of the Senate by sponsoring a motion calling for urgent intervention by the Federal Government and relevant authorities to address the worsening gully erosion and ecological challenges in Edo Central Senatorial District.
The motion, which has successfully passed its First Reading, underscores the Senator’s commitment to pursuing both legislative and executive measures aimed at addressing the environmental challenges confronting communities across Esanland.
Senator Ikpea noted that while legislative advocacy remains a vital tool for securing government action, sustained engagement with key institutions of the Federal Government is equally important in accelerating policy implementation and attracting timely ecological intervention projects to vulnerable communities.
According to him, a synergized approach between the executive and legislative arms is critical to achieving lasting solutions to the ecological challenges facing Edo Central and safeguarding the well-being and economic future of its people.
In his response, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration and ensuring the effective implementation of policies and programmes aimed at promoting sustainable national development.
Akume assured Senator Ikpea that the Office of the SGF, which coordinates the activities of Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and oversees the implementation of Federal Government decisions, remains fully committed to supporting initiatives that address critical environmental and developmental challenges across the country.
He emphasized that the Federal Government recognizes the far-reaching impact of ecological degradation on communities and remains dedicated to facilitating coordinated interventions that will deliver lasting solutions and improve the quality of life of affected citizens.
