By
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Ecological and Climate Change Funding and Management Commission, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere Esq, has announced that the state will require ₦160 billion in the coming year to tackle its extensive ecological challenges.
He disclosed this during a press briefing in Benin City ahead of the official launch of the Edo State Green Revolution Initiative and the Ecological and Climate Trust Fund, scheduled for Thursday, 11th December.
Dr. Agbomhere said the trust fund is designed to mobilize resources locally and internationally to address the devastating ecological conditions across the state.
According to him, the Commission’s recent statewide assessment revealed over 50 major erosion and environmental degradation sites, many of which require between ₦5 billion and ₦20 billion each to remediate.
He noted that Edo’s annual budget alone cannot fund such extensive ecological restoration, hence the decision to activate the trust fund and rally private partners, international donors, corporate bodies, and well-meaning individuals to support the state’s ecological transformation agenda.
Agbomhere stated, “We need about ₦160 billion to resolve many of the issues we have seen. Edo alone cannot shoulder this burden. That is why we are launching the trust fund to seek support from friends of the state, development partners, and stakeholders who believe in the governor’s vision,”
He emphasized that the Green Revolution at the center of the state’s ecological agenda includes a mandate to plant at least one million trees within four years in order to restore the ecosystem, improve air quality, combat erosion, and support climate resilience.
The Commission, he said, will operate in collaboration with other ministries due to the cross-cutting nature of environmental issues. Its programs will span climate-smart agriculture, environmental sanitation, conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG and solar, awareness campaigns on climate change, and provision of potable water for all communities in Edo State.
Dr. Agbomhere highlighted the rising environmental threats from illegal sand mining, blocked waterways, and unregulated industrial excavation, noting that the Commission is introducing enforcement and remediation frameworks to curb further degradation.
He also disclosed that part of the state’s long-term ecological plan includes turning rehabilitated erosion sites into tourist and economic assets, rather than leaving them unused after recovery.
He said, "We are not just restoring; we are restoring, conserving, and converting these sites into valuable economic resources. Every remediated area will have a sustainable use plan,”
He urged media practitioners to support the Green Revolution by educating the public, creating awareness, and helping the government mobilize citizens for environmental responsibility.
The forthcoming launch will unveil full programme components of the Green Revolution and outline how individuals, corporations and international partners can contribute to the ecological trust fund.
Dr. Agbomhere reiterated that Governor Monday Okpebholo remains fully committed to protecting the wellbeing of the people and restoring Edo’s environment, stressing that “Edo is rising under his leadership.”
