16th June, 2010
The Lagos State government has appealed to the local government councils to be champions and advocates for mitigation and adaptation strategies that reduce or eliminate the human impact of climate change, while it implored the citizenry to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians and verges, drains and canals to ensure free flow of water.
The government also called on them to refrain from urinating and defecating in public places.
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola made the appeal at the celebration of this year’s World Environment Day organised by the state through the Ministry of the Environment.
According to the governor, the reality of climate change and too long pressure on the ecosystems are no longer debatable, adding that it is not a matter of choice but of utmost expediency that all levels of government must faithfully fight it together, irrespective of how we speak or look, to achieve radical reduction in Green House Gas emission.
Said he: “My most fervent appeal on this day goes to our local government and local council development area chairmen, to be our champions and advocates for mitigation and adaptation strategies that reduce or eliminate the human impact of climate change.
“The Ministry of the Environment has agreed to develop a series of these strategies for dissemination to our grassroots communities in the local languages.â€
Fashola said there was need to urgently cooperate to promote the green economy within our borders, embrace the alternative green collar jobs as against white collar jobs in passionate support for our ecosystems.