Mr Terry Igiebor, Chairman of the Edo Ecological Funding and Management Commission, says 129 gully erosion sites requiring urgent intervention have been identified across the state.
Igiebor disclosed this on Friday in an interview with reporters in Benin.
He said identifying the sites was part of the government’s efforts to address worsening ecological challenges threatening communities across the state.
The commission identified the sites during an assessment tour of 16 local government areas, he said. The assessment aimed to identify communities facing serious environmental challenges and determine the level of intervention required.
Igiebor listed gully erosion, blocked drainage channels, deforestation and environmentally induced road deterioration among the issues investigated.
He described conditions in some rural communities as alarming, citing cases of residents living dangerously close to deep erosion channels.
Igiebor recalled an incident in which a 57-year-old man reportedly died following an erosion-related disaster. He added that some communities had also reported children being swept away by floodwaters.
The chairman said locations identified as emergencies would receive attention before the next rainy season.
According to him, the commission is developing a one-year intervention roadmap, while the ongoing assessment will inform the state’s 2027 budget.
He added that the commission is exploring funding opportunities through the Federal Government’s Ecological Project Office, the World Bank, the United Nations and other international development partners.
“The law establishing the commission provides for equitable distribution of ecological intervention across the state’s three senatorial districts to ensure that no area is neglected in the allocation of resources,” Igiebor said.
He said the commission was particularly concerned about vulnerable communities whose residents lacked the financial resources or access to government officials to draw attention to their environmental problems.
Igiebor stressed that intervention should not depend solely on communities’ ability to lobby for the government’s attention.
To address recurring ecological challenges, the commission is planning an environmental education and orientation programme to inform residents about the causes of erosion and other environmental problems, he said.
He blamed indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels and poor environmental practices for contributing to flooding and other ecological challenges.
However, he said residents must complement government efforts by taking responsibility for protecting their environment.
The chairman said the commission would unveil its master plan and work schedule to guide communities on their responsibilities.
Addressing the root causes of ecological problems would reduce the substantial resources required for environmental remediation, he added.
