LAGOSIANS LAUDED FOR EMBRACING VOLUNTARY TREE PLANTING
… Says 2020 Target For 20 Million Trees, Achievable
Lagos State Government has commended residents of the State for gradually coming to terms with the strategic importance of trees for collective survival, saying that tree planting in the state is fast becoming a culture among the citizens.
The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosimi-Etti, made the observation at the weekend during the commemoration of the 2018 Tree Planting Day in Kosofe Local Government Area.
He stressed that the continuous involvement of the citizens in tree planting programme would guarantee a stronger sense of community socialization and environmental responsibility needed for community renewal and action programmes.
“Residents of the State now beautify the frontage of their apartments without being forced to do so. Market men and women, artisans, taxi drivers and other transport associations now plant trees and take abode underneath. It is gratifying and heartwarming to note that we are all committed to bequeathing a better environment for the generation yet unborn”, he said.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Babatunde Humpe, stated that as government intensifies efforts to develop road infrastructure in the State, greater commitment is also being shown to ensure that the roads are adorned with trees and beautiful flowers.
“Wherever road construction takes away the trees, we replant new ones in a more suitable environment; consistent with our greening policy aimed at mitigating climate change and combating global warming”, the Commissioner explained.
According to him, the “Plant a Tree Initiative” that was embarked upon in all the five divisions of the state was a deliberate effort by the present administration to replace all trees that were felled for infrastructural development such that if a tree is cut down in the course of government’s renewed vigour to deliver world-class infrastructure, five new ones are planted as replacement.
He used the occasion to inform Lagosians that the Jibowu scenic and recreational park is at 80% completion stage and will be delivered before the end of the year, adding that the establishment of florists Village in all the Divisions of the State is on course with the pilot scheme in Osborne Verges, Ikoyi nearing completion.
“Six other major parks will be developed in Oregun, Iporin, Ikotun, Ikoyi, Iganmu and Epe areas of the State. This will ensure that all residents benefit immensely from the new policy direction of this administration driven by tourism and recreations”, the Commissioner reiterated.
While acknowledging the fact that environmental regeneration and renewal programmes are gulping a huge resources on the part of the government, the Commissioner called on the private sector, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), international donor to partner with the State in its bid to improve the general well-being of the citizenry through a cleaner, greener and safer environment.
Also speaking at the event, the General Manager of Lagos State Parks and Gardens, LASPARK, Mrs. Balikiss Abiola- Adebiyi disclosed that the government had in the last 11 years planted over seven million trees through the support of members of the public and assured Lagos residents that the target of planting 10 million trees by Y2020 is achievable.
She stressed the need to erect structures according to nature’s laws and rise above the financial, ecological, and social tides of urban growth by incorporating ecological principles for better urban planning and development.
The General Manager also commended the residents for their cooperation towards the greening programmes, saying: “some residents have started marking their birthdays by planting trees; tree competitions are springing up in most of our schools; the elderly have reignited their lives by relaxing at various parks, while parents now bring their children to parks on weekend and during holidays to catch fun”.
She said the effort to re-invent nature and make Lagos greener and more habitable received international recognition recently from the Climate Reality Project, a non-governmental organisation chaired and funded by Al-Gore, a former president of the U.S.