The Edo State Government has pledged to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment to protect and preserve the state’s environment.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who disclosed this while hosting the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, assured that his administration will take decisive steps to address environmental challenges, including encroachment into national parks.

Addressing the minister and his delegation, Okpebholo said environmental protection remains a key priority of his administration, noting that sustainable management of natural resources is critical to the state’s development.

He disclosed that the state government would establish a committee to tackle the growing problem of encroachment in national parks and other protected areas.

“The Edo State Government is ready to partner with the Federal Ministry of Environment to protect our environment and ensure sustainable development for our people.”

The governor assured the minister of his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government on policies and programmes to safeguard the environment.

He stressed the need for collective action to protect forests, wildlife and other natural resources from degradation, adding that Edo State would continue to pay significant attention to environmental issues.

MEANWHILE, the governor, yesterday, also said the state government has recruited 500 forest guards to secure the state’s forest and farmlands from kidnappers and bandits.

The government added that an additional 500 personnel would be added to the list soon in line with a directive from the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu.

The Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Festus Ebea, disclosed this in Benin during a joint press briefing with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, and the Commissioner for Transportation, Saturday Uwuilekhue.

According to Ebea, the 1,000 forest guard offices would be situated in Edo forests with special attention to forests in bordering states of Kogi, Ondo, Delta, and some special areas in Etsako and Akoko-Edo where there are lots of mineral resources.