By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The Edo State Government, in collaboration with its international development partner, the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), Netherlands, has inaugurated a Technical Team for Forest Monitoring and Enforcement in the state.
The inauguration took place during a high-level meeting organised by IDH, bringing together key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in land use administration, environmental protection, and sustainable development, which was held at Edo State One-Stop- Investment Centre (ES-OSIC) in Benin City on Thursday January 21st 2026.
Members of the technical team inaugurated include representatives of the Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), and the Edo State Ministry of Justice.
Other MDAs members represented on the team are the Edo State Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Top government officials present at the meeting include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Sunday Osayande and the Acting Managing Director, EdoGIS, Mr. Tunde Egbiremonle.
In his opening remarks, the Country Director of IDH, Prof. Eniola Fabusoro, emphasized the importance of strong institutional collaboration in achieving effective forest governance. He noted that the technical team would play a critical role in strengthening forest monitoring systems, improving enforcement, and ensuring transparency in land-use practices across Edo State.
The IDH Country Director further reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Edo State with technical expertise, capacity building, and international best practices aimed at promoting sustainable forest management and responsible agricultural and land-based investments.
The Terms of Reference guiding the operations of the technical team were presented and facilitated by a consultant to IDH, Mr. B. A. Kadiri, who outlined the scope, roles, and responsibilities of members in advancing forest protection and enforcement efforts in the state.
The inauguration of the technical team underscores the Edo State Government’s commitment to combating deforestation, strengthening environmental enforcement, and deepening strategic partnerships that support sustainable development and long-term ecological conservation.
