The Kogi State Commissioner of Environment and Ecological Management, Joseph Oluwasegun, has expressed confidence that the Ministry’s 2026 budget proposal will drive sustainable development and environmental improvement across the state.
Oluwasegun who made this known while defending the Ministry’s 2026 Budget before the Kogi State House of Assembly, said no meaningful development can take place without proper appropriation and legislative approval.
According to him, the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management plays a central role in all development activities, as environmental and ecological considerations cut across every sector.
He noted that the bigger picture for 2026 aligns with the Governor’s campaign promises, particularly in reclaiming degraded lands, improving the environment, and positioning Kogi State as an attractive destination for investment and tourism.
Oluwasegun maintained that the Ministry plans to improve on land reclamation efforts carried out in the previous year, while also supporting government initiatives aimed at addressing insecurity, which he described as a major factor slowing development.
He expressed confidence that ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity would soon yield positive results.
On environmental sanitation, the Commissioner said the State recently received national recognition for cleanliness by the Earth Council of Nigeria, based on visible improvements in environmental cleanliness.
Addressing concerns over waste management challenges arising from increased urban migration and waste generation, Oluwasegun said the state government has approved the procurement of new waste management equipment, including compactors, tippers, and motorcycles to strengthen enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal.
He noted that the motorcycles would be deployed for environmental enforcement teams to ensure compliance with sanitation laws across the state.
“With the arrival of these equipment, keeping Kogi State clean will become more effective, and indiscriminate dumping will be greatly reduced,” the Commissioner assured.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Environment and Ecological Management and Member Representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, Hon. Jibril Abu, commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to strengthening environmental and land administration institutions in the state.
According to him, the Governor’s vision for environmental order, ecological balance, land administration reform, and revenue optimization is deliberate, people-centred, and reform-driven.
Hon. Abu noted that the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management had, within the last two months, helped position Kogi State as the second cleanest state in the country, attributing the achievement to renewed coordination and operational seriousness.
He also noted that the Bureau of Lands recorded over 80 percent performance in the 2025 fiscal year as at September, reflecting improved efficiency in land administration, documentation, and compliance.
The lawmaker who warned against land grabbing, speculative land hoarding, and illegal land claims, said any land without valid documentation does not exist for personal ownership in law.
He also cautioned vendors, contractors, and service providers dealing with the Ministry of Environment to ensure full authorization, warning that illegal operations and revenue leakages would no longer be tolerated.
Hon. Abu assured that the House would not hesitate to invoke its oversight and quasi-judicial powers where violations persist, adding that oversight remains a constitutional responsibility aimed at keeping institutions on course.
