ONOGBA BACK TO DELTA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AS COMMISSIONER, PROMISES ACCOMPLISHMENT OF CLEANER DELTA AGENDA

Delta Commissioner for Environment, Pastor Chris Onogba, on Monday resumed work in his former Ministry with a pledge to pursue the Cleaner Delta Agenda of the State Governnent with renewed vigour.

Onogba told newsmen in Asaba that there was no missing link between his first coming and his return to the Ministry, adding that he would focus on consolidating the achievements already recorded in the past two years.

The Commissioner said before the dissolution of the previous Exco, the World Bank assisted Owa – Nta and Obomkpa gulley erosion intervention projects had been completed, while the Ukwunzu project was close to completion.

He stated that although the Ministry had yet to get to where it ought to be in the delivery of its mandate, it had achieved increased consciousness of the need for a clean environment by the people, insisting that compliance monitoring and enforcement of environmental laws would be taken more seriously to guarantee efficiency.

Onogba explained that the Ministry and the other agencies involved in environmental activities had no issues working together, pointing out that the role of the Ministry was supervisory, while the State Waste Management Board was responsible for waste evacuation using the PSP model.

The Environment Commissioner frowned at the seemingly intractible problem of indiscriminate dumping. of refuse in drains and natural waterways by some residents of major towns and cities of the state and advocated strategic engagement, collaboration with faith based organisations and traditional institutions as possible ways to change the narrative through sensitization campaigns.

He disclosed that emphasis would be placed on tree planting in the next two years to achieve a greener environment and replenish the ecosystem, especially in this era of climate change.

Onogba urged the management and staff of the Ministry to rededicate themselves to duty, stressing that there should be no excuse for failure under his watch.