Oghenero Orovwuje
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has inaugurated the River Ethiope Basin Institute (REBI), Abraka with a pledge to sustain support for the facility to ensure the realization of its set objectives.
Senator Okowa made the pledge at the Delta State University, Abraka, at an event to commemorate the 2021 World Rivers Day Celebration in Nigeria.
Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, aligned with the objectives of the World Rivers Day, noting that it had drawn attention to the need to protect rivers from all forms of abuse.
He said the state government had, through the Ministries of Water Resources, Environment and other relevant agencies, continued to develop and implement people oriented programmes, including fishing, provision of potable water, job creation, environmental monitoring and tourism.
The Governor commended the Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University, Abraka, Prof Andy Egwunyenga and his team for the initiative to setup the River Ethiope Basin Institute which he said would carry out research on how to address pollution, declining fish production and other challenges affecting rivers.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman on the occasion, Prof Oladapo Afolabi, stressed the importance of the Institute and urged the state government to support the program by creating a special budget to fund the activities of the Institute.
Earlier in an address, the President and founder of the River Ethiope Trust Foundation, Prince Irikefe Dafe, said the Institute was inaugurated to consider the concepts of life in harmony with nature and respect for nature’s rights and adopt a resolution embracing the concepts.
In a lecture entitled ‘Waterways In Our Communities and Rights Of Rivers’, Prof Robert Ikomi stated that the celebration of rivers in the world had highlighted their values, increased public awareness and encouraged the improvement of all rivers around the world, adding that only their recorded service and active involvement would ensure their sustainability.
Others who spoke commended the River Ethiope Foundation and the Delta State University for setting up the Institute and stressed the need to protect rivers from pollution and other forms of abuse.
The event featured the presentation of awards to individuals who had contributed to the preservation of the ecosystem and the commissioning of the River Ethiope Basin Institute Office by the representative of the Governor,, Chief Patrick Ukah.
Why Delta North Needs a Ranking Senator With Experience, Legislative Expertise...