Lagos Targets 20 Million Trees

The Lagos State Government is targeting the planting of 20 million trees in the next one year, says Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire.

Speaking at this year’s annual tree campaign in Lagos, Nigeria, the commissioner said if every Lagosian would target the planting of at least one tree, in the next one year, 20 million trees would have been planted to mitigate the impact of climate change.

The theme of this year’s tree planting is One Man, One Tree and is aimed at urging Lagosians to cultivate the habit of planting at least a tree in order to increase the aesthetics of the Lagos environment.

The commissioner said the annual tree planting was part of government’s resolve to ensure the continued survival of the human race which depended on the oxygen provided by trees.

In his speech, Governor Babatunde Fashola re-echoed the fact that if trees were planted in erosion-prone areas, the menace of erosion would be curbed.

Fashola disclosed that tree planting had provided a steady source of jobs for 43 companies and their employees, adding that as at the last count, over 4, 800 people had been employed directly and indirectly in a continuous cycle of supplies, labour, transportation, nursery and seedling development; sand mining and supplies, welding and fabrication, among others.

“As the whole world focuses on the preservation of nature as mitigation and adaptation strategies against the adverse effects of climate change such as flooding and green house gases; the demand for more trees can only increase.

“We are already acting proactively to be at the forefront of policy formulation and decision making to ensure that our people are not left behind. A botanical garden is being developed and an institutionalisation of tree planting and greening through the use of law has received the blessing of the State House of Assembly with the imminent passage of the law establishing the Park and Gardens Commission,” said Fashola, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga