…PS: Office exploring int’l funding window to address over 5000 requests
By Frank Momoh
The House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Ecological Fund, Hon Aminu Sani Jaji, has affirmed the readiness of the committee to work closely with the Ecological Project Office (EPO) to give the necessary support for the realization of its mandate to service delivery.
Speaking at an interactive session with the top management of the Office at the National Assembly on Wednesday, he said, “The primary reason for the interaction is to know the Ecological Project Office remediation interventions in tackling the mounting ecological challenges
“At the same time, let the Ecological Project Office understand our readiness as members of the parliament, that we are ever ready to work with you and promote any activity in accordance to the rule of law.”
The lawmaker observed that the interaction was important to clarify some of the misconceptions about the operations of the office, explaining that some members of the public are yet to understand how the office operates.
He expressed optimism that the synergy will boost more enlightenment for the benefit of all. “If we get it right, then the benefit will be for all of us.” he stated.
Briefing the committee members earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, gave the historical perspective of the evolution of the Office.
He highlighted that the Ecological fund was created by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Act, to address the ecological challenges across the country.
According to him, the fund which constitute 2.32 % of the FAAC allocation is further shared to the 3 -tiers of the government in the ratio of 0.72% to the States, 0.60% to the Local Government Areas, and 1% goes to the Federal Government. “It is from the 1% allocated to the Federal Government that EPO is being funded”.
The Permanent Secretary however added that the Federal Government 1% share is further shared to other agencies of government including: the National Emergency Management Agency( NEMA), National Lands Development Agency( NALDA), National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the latest addition, National Commission for Refugees.
Ibrahim, also stated that despite the depletion and dwindling resources, the office is doing its best to tackle the Ecological challenges through its interventions.
“The office is mindful of its intervention strategies by ensuring that it cuts across the six geopolitical zones of the country from the several requests drawn from communities, federal institutions , traditional institutions and elected representatives”.
The Permanent Secretary informed the lawmakers that 304 projects have so far been completed and handed over to the benefiting communities, while an additional 49 nos are on-going.
Speaking further, Ibrahim said the office was looking forward to collaborating with the States and the Local Governments to pull the ecological funds together for increased interventions.
He also informed the committee members that the office is seeking to explore international donor funding in addressing the myriad of requests daily submitted to the office as the current funding system is grossly inadequate to tackle the over 5000 requests in its databank.
The Interactive session was quite engaging and fruitful as the lawmakers were brought up to speed with the operations of the office in line with the Permanent Secretary’s assurances to giving the necessary information to enable their oversight functions.
The House Committee Chairman was joined at the session by the Deputy Chairman, Hon Oyedeji Oyeshina and other committee members while the Permanent Secretary was accompanied by the top management of the Ecological Project Office.
