The call has been made to embrace a shift from the syndrome that prioritises economic expansion at the cost of environmental degradation to one that accepts and adopts the policy of balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
The Head of Service of Delta State, Mr. Reginald Bayoko, Mni made the called while speaking as guest speaker at the Delta State Chapter of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations Annual General Meeting, AGM, Public Lecture 2025, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the Multiple-Purpose Hall, Maryam Babangida Leisure Park, Asaba. Mr. Bayoko spoke on the topic: “Environmental Stewardship for sustainable Housing Development in Delta State.”
At the event where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was special guest of honor, but represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, and Chaired by Pharm. (Dr) Paul Enebeli, Mr. Bayoko said the shift had become imperative as “We cannot build homes today that become hazards tomorrow.”
He said “Delta State must rise to the challenge and set the gold standard for sustainable Housing in Nigeria. Each one of us has a role to play.:
* As government officials, enforce the laws.
* As private sector players, innovate and invest responsibly.
* As media and PR professionals, drive the right narratives.
* As community members, adopt eco-friendly practices.
My Bayoko said: “As community members, adopt eco-friendly practices. Let us pledge today that every house we build, every policy we enact, every community we design will bear the Mark of environmental Stewardship. Let us not leave our children a Delta State riddled with unplanned chaos and environmental scars. Instead, let us be remembered as the generation that built with wisdom, planned with foresight and acted with responsibility..
“I therefore, urge all stakeholders here today to become Ambassadors of environmental Stewardship in their respective fields. Let us build not just houses, but sustainable communities that enhance the quality of life for present and future.”
Full text of Mr. Reginald Bayoko’s lecture is presented below.
TEXT OF A PAPER DELIVERED BY THE GUEST SPEAKER, MR. R.O.E. BAYOKO, mni, HEAD OF SERVICE, DELTA STATE, ON ‘ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN DELTA STATE” AT THE 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE/PUBLIC LECTURE OF THE DELTA STATE CHAPTER OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS (NIPR) HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025 AT THE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, MARYAM BABANGDA LEISURE PARK, ASABA.
Allow me to begin by extending my profound gratitude to the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Delta State Chapter for the honor of being invited as the Guest Speaker at this prestigious annual conference, convened under the theme “Environmental Stewardship for Sustainable Housing Development in Delta State.” To be clear, the NIPR steadfast commitment to professional excellence, ethical public engagement, and nation-building is quite commendable. The theme chosen for this event is both timely and essential, as it highlights the interplay between environmental sustainability and the imperative to provide safe, resilient, and affordable housing for our people.
For me, Public relations are the lifeblood of governance, corporate advancement, and societal transformation. The manner in which ideas, policies, and innovations are communicated determines their acceptance, impact, and sustainability. As professionals in the field, you are the custodians of perception, the architects of credibility, and the gatekeepers of public trust. Therefore, I encourage you to continue to deepen your professional influence by championing positive narratives that promote sustainable development, environmental consciousness, and responsible governance.
Today’s topic is of critical importance. The issue of Environmental Stewardship for Sustainable Housing Development in Delta State requires serious discourse and distinct dissection. This gathering is therefore not just a policy conversation; it is an urgent call to action. The choices we make in urban planning, construction, and environmental management today will shape the lives of future generations. The question therefore to ask ourselves 2is this: will we leave behind a legacy of prosperity or a burden of destruction? It is a fundamental question we must answer.
The Nexus Between Housing And Environmental Sustainability.
Housing development is more than just constructing buildings—it is about creating livable, functional, and environmentally friendly communities that cater to present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. In Delta State, the rapid expansion of urban settlements, increased demand for housing, and climate-related challenges have necessitated a deliberate, innovative, and sustainable approach to housing development. As the government and private sector strive to bridge the housing deficit, there is an urgent need to ensure that housing policies, land-use planning, and urban development frameworks align with environmental stewardship principles. The degradation of ecosystems, improper waste disposal, deforestation, and poor land-use planning all threaten the very foundation of sustainable housing. Housing is therefore not merely about providing shelter; it is about creating safe, livable, and resilient communities that align with the natural environment. Delta State, with its rich biodiversity, extensive riverine terrain, and growing urban centers, faces a dual challenge—meeting the ever-increasing housing demand while safeguarding our fragile ecosystem.
UnderstandingEnvironmental Stewardship in Housing Development.
Environmental stewardship refers to the responsible management and conservation of natural resources to promote ecological balance and long-term sustainability. When applied to housing development, it ensures that human habitation coexists harmoniously with nature, mitigating adverse effects such as flooding, erosion, pollution, and biodiversity loss. In the face of this we must acknowledge the harsh realities staring us in the face. These include:
• Unchecked urban sprawl is depleting our green spaces and disrupting natural drainage systems, leading to perennial flooding.
• Deforestation and sand mining are stripping the land of its natural protective barriers, accelerating erosion and land degradation.
• Poor waste management and pollution are poisoning our air, water, and soil, compromising both public health and environmental integrity.
• Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is a present crisis, manifesting in rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and coastal erosion.
Theserealities demand innovative, strategic, and uncompromising interventions. Sustainable housing development must cease being a mere buzzword and become the very backbone of our urban planning philosophy.
Ideals and Challenges of Sustainable Housing Development in Delta State.
Sustainable housing development in Delta State should therefore embrace:
• Eco-friendly construction materials that reduce carbon footprints.
• Energy-efficient designs that incorporate renewable energy sources.
• Sustainable land-use planning that prevents unregulated urban sprawl.
• Innovative waste management systems that promote recycling and minimize environmental degradation.
• Climate-resilient building standards to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Despitethe significant strides made in urban development, several challenges persist that are hindering sustainable housing initiatives they include:
(A) Rapid Urbanization & Population Growth: Delta State has experienced rapid population growth and urban migration, leading to unplanned settlements, slums, and increased pressure on infrastructure.
(B) Environmental Degradation: Deforestation, sand mining, coastal erosion, and wetland encroachments contribute to flooding and land degradation.
(C) Inadequate Enforcement of Environmental Laws: Weak enforcement of zoning laws, environmental impact assessments (EIAs), and building regulations has resulted in poor housing standards and environmental hazards.
(D) Waste Management Issues: Many urban and rural settlements struggle with proper waste disposal, leading to pollution and public health concerns.
(E) Climate Change Impacts: Rising sea levels, flooding, and extreme weather events threaten housing security in riverine and low-lying areas of the state.
ThePathway to Sustainable Housing Development.
Given the foregoing challenges, for us to transform our housing landscape, requires that we embrace a radical shift—a shift from short-term convenience to long-term resilience, from exploitative construction to regenerative architecture, from individual profit motives to collective sustainability goals. And here’s how we can achieve that:
(A) Embracing Green, Climate-Resilient Housing.
• We must transition from conventional, high-carbon construction to eco-friendly designs and materials. Bamboo, compressed earth blocks, and recycled materials should be prioritized over unsustainable concrete and steel.
• Solar energy solutions should become mainstream in housing projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.
• Houses should be designed with natural ventilation and energy-efficient features to minimize energy consumption.
• Rainwater harvesting systems should be integrated into building designs to reduce pressure on general water supply and enhance water security.
(B) Enforcing Sustainable Land-Use Planning
• Unregulated land grabbing, reckless deforestation, and indiscriminate sand mining must be curtailed through strict enforcement of environmental laws.
• Urban development should prioritize green spaces, flood plains, and ecological buffer zones to maintain environmental balance.
• Smart city planning approaches should be adopted to ensure that infrastructural expansion does not compromise environmental stability.
(C) Strengthening Environmental Governance and Policy Implementation
• We must move beyond policy rhetoric and take concrete legislative actions that mandate sustainable building practices.
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) should not just be formalities on paper but should serve as strict regulatory gatekeepers for housing projects.
• A Delta State Housing and Environmental Compliance Taskforce should be established to monitor and penalize violators of sustainability regulations.8(D) Waste-to-Wealth and Circular Economy Models in Housing Development.
• Sustainable waste management systems should be embedded in all residential estates to promote waste recycling, biogas production, and composting.
• Developers should be incentivized to adopt circular economy models, where building materials are sourced from upcycled and repurposed waste.
• Community-driven waste segregation programs should be introduced to encourage public participation in environmental conservation.
(E) Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Community Engagement.
• Sustainable housing cannot be driven by the government alone; the private sector must step up as an active player.
• Incentives should be provided to developers who incorporate green technologies into their housing projects.
• Traditional rulers, community leaders, and grassroots organizations should be empowered as custodians of local environmental protection initiatives.9(F) Community Engagement and Public Awareness
• Conduct massive sensitization campaigns on the importance of environmental conservation in housing development.
• Empower local communities to take ownership of tree planting, waste segregation, and water conservation initiatives.
• Partner with educational institutions to incorporate environmental stewardship into the curriculum.
The Role of Delta State Government in Sustainable Housing.
In Delta State the Government has demonstrated a fairly huge level of commitment to infrastructural expansion and urban renewal, through various initiatives, including:
• The Delta State Urban Renewal Policy, which aims to improve urban infrastructure.
• The State Housing Development Schemes, focusing on affordable housing for low and middle-income earners.
• Efforts to enforce environmental regulations to curb illegal developments.10However, to truly redefine our housing sector, we must scale up efforts by:
• Implementing a Statewide Sustainable Housing Development Plan.
• Strengthening environmental compliance frameworks.• Introducing fiscal policies that favor green housing investments.
• Deepening research partnerships with universities and think tanks to drive homegrown solutions.In effect there is still room for stronger policy implementation, enhanced regulatory enforcement, and deeper collaboration with the private sector to achieve the state’s sustainability goalsA call to Action: The future is Now.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me be unequivocal: the time for complacency is over. We must embrace a paradigm shift that balances economic growth with environmental protection. We cannot continue on a path where economic expansion comes at the cost of environmental devastation. We cannot build homes today that become hazards tomorrow. Delta State must rise to the challenge and set the gold standard for sustainable housing in Nigeria. Each one of us has a role to play:
• As government officials, enforce the laws.
• As private sector players, innovate and invest responsibly.
• As media and PR professionals, drive the right narratives
.• As community members, adopt eco-friendly practices.
Let us pledge today that every house we build, every policy we enact, every community we design will bear the mark of environmental stewardship. Let us not leave our children a Delta State riddled with unplanned chaos and environmental scars. Instead, let us be remembered as the generation that built with wisdom, planned with foresight, and acted with responsibility.
I therefore urge all stakeholders here today to become ambassadors of environmental stewardship in their respective fields. Let us build not just houses, but sustainable communities that enhance the quality of life for present and future generations.
Conclusion: Gratitude and a Shared Vision
As I conclude, I once again extend my heartfelt appreciation to the NIPR, Delta State Chapter, for organizing this intellectually stimulating discourse. Your efforts in shaping narratives around governance, public engagement, and sustainable development are invaluable. To every individual present here, thank you for lending your ears, your intellect, and your passion to this critical conversation. The responsibility now lies with us all to translate words into action, policies into practice, and intentions into lasting impact. Together, we will build a Delta State where housing development is not just a necessity, but a testament to our commitment to environmental sustainability and generational prosperity.
Thank you, and God bless NIPR, God bless Delta State, God bless Nigeria!
Office of the Head of Service,
Governor’s Office, Asaba.
March 2025.
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