By Emmanuel Onwusoro
Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Chief Tosin Aluko Ajisafe has led a delegation to Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to understudy the various workable operations for adoption in Ekiti State.
The Commissioner explained that the visit was to tap from the wealth of experiences on how Lagos State government has gone in terms of ensuring environmental stability and stable climate through forest regeneration, conducive environment where drains and channels are well constructed and maintained, protection of environment, conservation of natural resources and prevention of environmental degradation.
She said the tour to the sister state is to ensure that the vision and mission of her ministry are realized. According to the her, the outcome of such would go a long way in repositioning the environment ministry in every ramification and bring a fresh vista to bear on staff performance.
Mrs Aluko-Ajisafe who also remarked that the visit was at the instance of the State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, pointed out that understanding and adopting the best practices in Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would have a positive impact aimed at transforming the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment.
In an address of welcome, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Tokunbo Wahab commended the Ekiti State governor for deeming it fit for the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment to understudy workable operations in his ministry. He noted that the visit was an indication that Lagos State is performing creditably.
Some of the places visited included Water Laboratory, Toxicology Laboratory, Waste Water Laboratory, Microbiology Laboratory and Sensitive Laboratory of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA)
The delegation comprised the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Babatunde Alokan, Project Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, General Manager, Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, Engr. Ayoola Osalusi, General Manager, State Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Kayode Adunmo and Director, Environmental Health and Sanitation, Mr. Tunde Balogun.