The Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ejiro Jamani, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, presented his ministry’s proposed 2026 budget before the Ministry of Economic Planning in Asaba, outlining key projects and priorities aimed at improving environmental protection and flood management across the state.
Speaking with journalists after the presentation, Hon. Jamani emphasised that the Ministry of Environment remains committed to protecting, conserving, and sustaining the state’s natural environment. He said the 2026 fiscal plan focuses on practical interventions to reduce flooding, improve sanitation, and promote green initiatives.
“Our projects for next year are geared toward the desilting of drains, clearing of water channels, managing waste effectively, and carrying out massive tree planting across the state,” Jamani stated.
The Commissioner noted that despite financial constraints, the ministry achieved significant progress in 2025, particularly in flood mitigation efforts. He explained that with government support, the ministry carried out extensive drainage opening and desilting exercises across flood-prone areas, especially in urban and riverine communities.
“As you are aware, Delta is a floodplain. When the rains come, some parts of the state are naturally prone to flooding. The government approved resources for us to open clogged drains and water channels, which helped reduce the impact of flooding in several districts,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the ministry’s reliance on environmental task forces, Hon. Jamani clarified that enforcement activities are carried out by established departments within the ministry — including the Department of Sanitation and Waste Management and the Department of Ecology — which are responsible for inspections, compliance monitoring, and public sensitisation.
“It’s not true that we depend solely on task forces. We have active departments that handle sanitation, waste management, and ecology. Whenever residents report environmental violations, our officers conduct inspections, and offenders are made to face the law,” he explained.
Hon. Jamani refrained from assigning a percentage to the ministry’s 2025 performance but noted that implementation of ongoing projects would continue until the end of the year.
“We are not done yet. We are still working, and by the end of the year, we’ll be in a better position to assess our overall performance,” he said.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to promoting a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Delta State, aligning with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda for development and environmental sustainability.
