The governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has sued for environmental sustainability towards mitigating the impact of global climate change.
But, he stated that unless residents of the State take active and drastic measures to restore the depleted forests, Edo could suffer a major landslide and flooding in future.
The Governor raised the concern at the 7th Alaghodaro ― The Edo summit on Friday at the Government House in Benin City he listed his milestones and projected into the future of the State.
Obaseki enjoined residents to support the government advocacy for change in lifestyle to regenerate the State forests reserves, which has depleted from 500,000-600,000 hectares to about 130,000.
“Area of environmental sustainability is something that you cannot run away from particularly with Climate change. We are so susceptible.
“Unless we take a very active and measure to begin to restore our rain forests, we might begin to a suffer a major landslide as we have seen in other places”, Obaseki said.
Continuing, he said, “In terms of erosion control, what we have done is to establish the Forestry Commission, which is now focusing on forest regeneration.
“Out of 500,000-600,000 hectares of we had over 50 years ago, we could barely have about 130,000 hectares left. Unless we regrow our forest. We are going to be susceptible to some of the flooding.
“So, flood control, environmental protection is key. We must take advantage of our rains. Edo State is supposed to be green. But, when we look at it on google, Benin City looks like a desert”, Obaseki said.
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