World Environment Day is an annual celebration held every 5th June, Ogun State being proactive, joined the rest of the world in the celebration of the World Environment Day. The theme for these year celebration was "Only one Earth".
The Ogun State Ministry of Environment and her sister Agencies celebrated these year celebration with a two-day activity which was celebrated in grand style. The state started the celebration with issuance of a press release by the Special Adviser on Environment Mr. Ola Oresanya on Friday 3rd of June 2022 and planting of the Citrus trees in all six secondary schools in environmental club by the ministry officials. The six schools visited were:
1.0 PREAMBLE
1.1 The two-day Management Retreat was organized for the management staff of the Ministry of Environment, Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) and Ogun State Waste Management Authourity (OGWAMA) - thus in attendance are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment (who served as the Chairman), the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, two Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Environment, Chairman and members of OGWAMA Board, the 21 Departmental Directors in these MDAs as well as the respective Deputy Directors.
1.2 The retreat was attended by average of 47 participants over the two days.
1.3 The theme of the retreat is: “Refocusing Strategies for better Environmental Governance in Ogun State.” The theme underscores the imperativeness of reforming the way the Ministry and her two Agencies have been carrying out their responsibilities for better service delivery, improve the state of the environment through strategic planning, smart operations, strategic information dissemination, monitoring and evaluation of performance for improvement.
1.4 The two-day event was moderated by Alh. M. O. Adetimilehin (a retired Permanent Secretary) while six papers were presented by experts which include:
a) Vision of the past administration on the environment, the pitfalls and ways of preventing future occurrence – Engr. Anthony Ojeshina
b) Health/Career Talks – Dr. Nafiu Aigoro (Head of Service, Ogun State)
c) Strategic Planning for Change Management – Dr. Sanyaolu Adebodun
d) Domesticating global best practices in environmental governance – Prof. A. A. Arowolo
e) Information Management – Alh. Waheed Odusile (Hon. Commissioner for Environment)
f) Strategic Environmental Management – Mr. Ola Oresanya (Special Adviser on Environment)
1.5 The action plans of year 2022 were presented on behalf of the departments in the MDAs by the respective departmental Directors which were peer-reviewed by participants.
2.0 OBSERVATIONS
2.1 The State has been taking cognizance of environmental issues over the years and has been making efforts towards managing and solving the identified challenges.
2.2 The funding available to the environment group has always been inadequate compared to the enormity of the challenges and problems that have to be mitigated or remediated in the State.
2.3 There has been expansion in the structure of the environment sector from 1995 when OGEPA was established as Ministry of Environment and Ogun State Waste Management Authourity were added in 2004 and 2020 respectively.
2.4 There are available windows for personnel development in terms of career progression and enhancement of capacity
2.5 Though “Health is Wealth,” many people, especially public and civil servants are getting more engrossed with work schedules without according similar importance to their health status.
2.6 While the three organizations are blessed with vast array of technically capable personnel, present cultural practices, individual and group values, and mindset are identified as hinderances to maximizing the inherent potentials and optimizing performance
2.7 Successful implementation of set-out goals and plans significantly depend on the mid- level managers (i.e. the Departmental Directors)
2.8 Most operations and activities are being carried out in silos without embedding the principle of team work and linkages.
2.9 Though the National Policy on environment does not allocate specific roles for the States, yet many of the strategies can be leveraged upon by States
2.10 Environmental degradation in terms of pollution, flood and erosion, challenges of waste management, sprawling human settlements, environmental health and climate change continue to pose a significant threat to the environment, as well as quality of life and health of the urban population in Nigeria.
2.11 Communication is very significant to achieving stakeholders’ positive feedback and improved compliance in environmental management; however, proper management of information is also very critical.
3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 The environment sector in the State should be adequately funded and supported by the Government while external funding opportunities should also be harnessed.
3.2 The State Government should continue to support the environment sector with required political will.
3.3 Civil servants need to avail themselves of all opportunities that will ensure smooth career progression through skill and knowledge acquisition by attending relevant professional, technical and management trainings.
3.4 Consistent attention should be given to personal health through regular and periodic medical check-up and should not engage in self-medication.
3.5 There is the need to reorientate the work force towards imbibing the new strategic approach in the operations of the MDAs.
3.6 The work force should work in teams for better and improved performance and service delivery.
3.7 Every Departmental Directors should adequately energize their respective personnel for efficient and effective operations.
3.8 The State Policy on Environment should be revised to reflect current realities and emergent issues in the local, national and global environmental space.
3.9 Improvement in stakeholders’ engagement in the areas of public discourse and awareness on environmental laws, regulations and policy implementation to encourage voluntary compliance and cooperation.
3.10 The enforcement mechanism should be enhanced through provision of adequate resources, enactment of laws, regulations, standards and guidelines which are enforceable and meet emerging issues.
3.11 Efforts should be geared towards establishing robust and effective inter-links with the academics in the area of research on environmental challenges.
3.12. Improvement on the level of communication and information dissemination about the activities of the environment sector and expectation from the public.
3.13 Staff, including the management staff, should be well informed about the activities within the environment sector thereby become fully equipped as information ambassadors.
3.14 Proper and adequate management of information to avoid spreading of rumours and public panic.
3.15 There is need for continuous training of management and staffs in the environment sector to improve upon their capacity for effectiveness and service delivery.
3.16 The goals of the organization should be cascaded to the operating units through each Department with quarterly performance appraisal.
4.0 CONCLUSION
4.1 The retreat has no doubt lived up to the expectations of participants as the presenters showed deep understanding of topics handled. This has greatly enhanced the knowledge of the participants who have been motivated to be game changers in their Agencies.
4.2 Also, participants have been opportune to be familiar with operations of various departments in the three MDAs and their contributions enriched the year’s action plans presented.
4.3 However, the justification of human and financial resources committed into the retreat will best be appreciated when the knowledge gained is transformed into improved performance and effectiveness in service delivery. Henceforth, it must be business unusual in the environment sector.
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