THE Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday emphasized the strategic importance of tree planting in bringing about a healthy environment and protecting the general wellbeing of the citizenry, saying it remains a strong tool to tackle the effect of climate change and global warming.

Speaking at the 2019 Tree Planting Sensitization Campaign, organized by Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, and held simultaneously in key locations across the State, Gov. Sanwo-Olu described climate change as the most significant material risk to the future, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to combat it.

The Governor, who was represented by his wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, at the exercise held at Bisola Durosinmi-Etti, off Admiralty Way, Lekki, said it was no longer plausible to continue to pretend that we have a society at ease with itself, as climate change poses a most devastating threat to human survival.

“Let us be reminded that there is no short or long term benefit of cutting down trees. The notion that when a tree is cut down, five trees should be planted as a replacement is grossly inadequate. The truth is that, while tree replacement may perfectly rekindle our hope, they are not equal in biodiversity. Man-made forest does not compensate for the damage and degradation done to the ecosystem through land clearance, therefore, when the primary tropical forest is lost, they can never be recovered.

“For us as a government, we are aware that substantial progress has been made towards optimizing the economic values of green spaces globally. Developing new opportunities around green spaces to propel the green economy is cardinal to our developmental policy. Indeed, the green economy would provide another platform for our ambitious city to promote its green credentials, improve citizens’ health and sustain the environment,” he said.

While calling on the people to establish right attitude that supports government policy on the environment, Governor Sanwo-Olu specifically urged residents to join hands with his administration to rid the State of waste, as well as improve the aesthetics of the environment by adorning it with ornamental plants, beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s tree-planting campaign – “Clean And Green Is Our Perfect Dream”, the governor said it was apt and in line with his THEMES agenda for the State especially in terms of ensuring a cleaner, greener, healthier and safer environment.

He added that achieving an eco-sustainable development that would make an enduring impact was only attainable through collective consistent stride of all residents to do little things that have a major impact on the mother earth.

“To this end, lets resonate it across the city of Lagos that as we mark our birthdays, let’s plant a tree; as we dedicate our children, let’s plant a tree; as we celebrate our children’s graduation, let’s plant a tree; whatever memorable event that we do, let’s endeavour to mark it with planting of trees. This little act of benevolence to nature can actually save our planet from further destruction.

“We must be aware that this symbolic planting ceremony would amount to nothing if these trees are not accorded adequate care. I, hereby, encourage all Lagosians to see this act as pride by caring for these trees and see them grow to maturity for the benefit of humankind,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor also averred that, in furtherance of his commitment to a green and sustainable environment, the State Government would soon re-launch the ‘One House, One Tree’ Campaign across the State, just as he said that the development would ensure that every house in Lagos possesses at least one tree which would go a long way to intensify the greening project.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of The Environment, Abiodun Bamgboye said it was gratifying to note that since the birth of tree planting campaign in the State over a decade ago, the initiative was gradually addressing the growing apprehension on climate change by improving the biological uniqueness of the local ecosystem and upholding the social value in the communities across the State.

Corroborating the governor’s call for residents to embrace tree planting, Bamgboye said: “For the industrialists among us, it is instructive to note that putting up ultra-modern factories, large shopping malls, beautiful mansions, fantastic car parks, mega petrol stations without any reservation for greening does not compensate for what has been taken away from nature.

“We must, therefore, ensure that certain percentages of our properties are preserved for greening as stated in the State’s Physical Planning Law. Let us henceforth ensure that we abide by the provision of the law as a responsible citizen”.

BE

– July 15, 2019 @ 12:39 GMT |