BY OJO SAMSON AYOMIDE
Kogi State is set to strengthen its commitment to environmental sustainability with plans to establish a dedicated Climate Change Agency.
Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed the drafting of a bill to create the agency, which will coordinate climate action and sustainability initiatives across the state.
The decision follows Kogi’s recent participation in the international climate summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun, represented Kogi.
The new agency aims to provide legal backing and centralized coordination for climate-related policies and programs.
Speaking after the State Executive Council meeting on Monday, Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Femi Fanwo said the agency will underscore the state’s seriousness in addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development.
In addition to the climate agency plans, the government is taking steps to enhance safety and reduce environmental hazards in Lokoja by restricting the movement of heavy-duty trucks during peak hours to cut down accidents and ease traffic congestion.
The council also received updates on ongoing infrastructure projects, including the near completion of perimeter fencing and hostel facilities at Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, aimed at improving campus security and sustainability.
Fanwo stressed that these measures reflect Governor Ododo’s broader vision for a safer, greener, and more resilient Kogi State.
“These actions demonstrate our commitment to climate resilience and sustainable growth for the benefit of all residents,” he said.