President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Ecological funds meant for interventions on ecological challenges in Nigeria can no longer be abused by the government of the day.
Buhari, who was represented by Senator Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial district and Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, said the waste that hitherto characterised Ecological Funds has now been crushed.
He said this at the inauguration and handing over of Ote River Channelisation, Erosion Control and Access Road in Osin Ekiti in Ekiti State executed by the federal government through the Ecological Funds Office.
He said the project was geared towards improving the welfare of Nigerians at the grassroot, adding that the project was a clear demonstration of his commitment to development and bringing the presence of the Federal Government to the rural areas.
“I have been familiar with the Ecological Fund since when I was in the public service and I know how it is being administered. You can hardly find any tangible project being done by the Ecological Fund, but since the Buhari administration took off, the Ecological Fund is now being used for the people.
“This project is expected to check flooding and erosion menace in the communities around its environs.
“The age-long problem of gully erosion and flooding in this part of the country cannot be overemphasized. I have no doubt the Federal Government intervention programme will bring a huge relief to communities which had for a very long time been stressed by these ecological challenges.
“With this project, the living standards of the people in the communities within its environs would be enhanced. This would at the same time reduce dangers to lives and properties associated with erosion and persistent flooding that had been experienced in recent times,” Buhari said.
The Olosin of Osin Ekiti, Oba Eniayewo Oyediran and the President of Osin Progressive Union, Elder Patrick Olayemi, expressed appreciation to the government for considering the town for the project, promising to take good care of the project for sustainability.