…Seeks stakeholders, staff collaboration to tackle ecological challenges
By Dele Ogbodo
Dr. Aishetu Ndayako Mohammed on Tuesday formally assumed duties as the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ecological Project Office (EPO).
The new Permanent Secretary while soliciting stakeholders and staff cooperation, pledged to tackle the mounting ecological challenges occasioned by climate change.
The Office’s Spokesperson, Mrs. Eno Olotu, in a statement made available to the media on Tuesday, said she was received on arrival by the Director who had been overseeing the office before her redeployment and also doubles as the Director, Pollution Control Department, Mr. Clinton Igwe and other top management of the Office.
Addressing the management at the event, Mohammed acknowledged that EPO is a strategic office positioned to achieving the key polices of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda especially in addressing the ecological challenges in the country.
She said that the office has direct contributions to reducing poverty as the project interventions will assist in bringing solutions to some of the issues exacerbating poverty in many communities in the nation.
“This office has direct contribution to poverty reduction and you are aware of what is going on in Nigeria today, the projects are key, if we are able to implement our projects, Mr. President will know and Nigerians will also know that EPO is the office that has the people at heart and that we are willing to find solutions to the things that are exacerbating poverty in many communities”.
Mohammed, promised to have an open communication approach with staff and stakeholders collaboration in order to deliver on her mandate.
She urged the staff to: “Tighten our belts, work hard and be ready to deploy ourselves with our intellect, our experience and resolve issues to make our work better“, adding, “we are all on board together to restore hope to the office.”
In his opening remarks, Director of Pollution Control, Mr. Clinton Igwe, warmly welcomed the Permanent Secretary to the Office, assuring her of firm support and cooperation from the management and staff to enable her deliver on her assignment.
He said, “We are a family of dedicated civil servants who understand our roles and responsibilities. We are eager to provide you with all necessary support to ensure your success.”
While briefing her on the historical perspective of the evolution of the Ecological Project Office, the director also highlighted the critical role by the office.
He proudly noted that EPO operates efficiently, akin to a private sector entity, with a remarkable track record of success stories of completed projects .
Reeling out some statistics, Mr Igwe pointed out that since 2015 to date, EPO has received presidential approvals for 353 projects without a single abandonment with 335 projects completed and 18 on-going.
“Since its repositioning in 2016, the office has maintained exceptional project delivery standards.” he added.
The Permanent Secretary was accompanied by Directors from her former Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Interior.
Directors in the Ecological Project Office in attendance included; the Director, Soil Erosion and Flood Control, Mr Abubakar Takuma, Director, Drought, Desertification and Coastal Management, Mr Samuel Igagu, mni. Director, Procurement, Dr Simon Omachoko and Director, Special Duties , Mr Sunday Babatunde. Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors were also on hand to welcome the Permanent Secretary.