Date: 2021-08-08

As part of efforts towards ensuring a safer and conducive society, the Kwara State Ministry of Environment has reiterated it promise of collaborating with the Kwara State Police Command through working with the outlined mechanism and guidelines.

The Honourable Commissioner of Environment, Mrs Remilekun Banigbe gave this assertion during a visit to the Kwara State Police Command, Headquarters, Ilorin with her team recently.

Banigbe said that the partnership was in order to ensure clean and safe environment and to address issues of major complains to the ministry, especially issues on deforestation and environmental banditry.

"By destroying the forests througg indiscriminate tree fellings, environmental banditry, charcoal productions, the entire ecosystem is in danger, creating natural imbalances, and posing serious threats to our communities. Sadly, this is fast becoming a norm in the northern part of the state, so, we are soliciting for your support to combat these nuisance and return normalcy" she said.

She however noted that the cordial relationship built with the police force will also help in curbing the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians and violation against the monthly sanitation exercise.

The Commissioner had earlier appreciated the support and the cooperation enjoyed so far since it has been partnering with the ministry while pledging to work on the outlined mechanism for the betterment of the state.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pastor Abraham Kola Ojo, said despite the law against the cutting and burning of trees for charcoal production, people have not desist from such act, hence calls for the need of conservative effort with the police force for the preservation of the forest.

He explained further that the cooperation of the police force will be highly appreciated in enforcing adequate compliance of the people during the monthly sanitation exercise, not only in the Ilorin metropolis but also the outskirt.

Responding, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Rotimi Adelesi, who also doubles as the Acting Commissioner of Police gave the assurance of total support and cooperation with the ministry for the betterment and progress of the state.

"We will join hands together for the state to move, we have our own primary assignments but we will also involve in creating environmental peace and order to the progress of the state; as the state remains " the state of harmony" she pledges.

Adelesi however urged the ministry to take cognizance of the necessary mechanisms to put in place especially constituting of environmental taskforce to work with for adequate enforcement of the environmental laws.

Also present at the visit are: the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Paul Omata, Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Ambrose Onah and the ministry management staff.

Okanlawon Taiwo

Press Secretary

Ministry of Environment