Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state has warned residents of the state to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees even as he promised that his administration is committed to the preservation of the environment and mitigation of global warming via tree planting.
The governor was speaking at this year tree planning exercise which happen to be the 8th in a series at the at the Technical College, Ikotun. The theme of this year campaign is “Tree, The Lungs of The Earth”
In a signed statement released by the chief press secretary, Habib Aruna and a copy made available to Naij.com, the governor said: “ tree planting exercise remains the cheapest and simplest option and strategies that have been put in place to tackle the challenge of climate change and its effect on human lives, adding that statistics and projections about the impact of climate change on the earth planet, particularly the gradual depletion of the rainforest, reinforce the need for all hands to be on deck.”
Ambode urged all Lagosians to embrace tree planting as a way of life in order to restore the dignity of the earth and desist from indiscriminate felling of trees warning
He, however, commended the efforts of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) in its advocacy activities that have resulted in the planting of about 5.9 million trees and the creation of over 96,000 jobs for all categories of artisans and professionals.
”Today, let me reaffirm this administration`s commitment to preservation of the environment, mitigation of global warming and its attendant climate change through the annual tree planting exercise. We will not relent, we will continue in our effort. I will now flag the exercise that would take place simultaneously in 180 locations across the state. Tree planting exercise remains the cheapest and simplest option and strategies to tackle the challenge, hence our resolve not to relent in this exercise”, the Governor opined.
Earlier in his address, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of the Environment, Hakeem Ogunbanbi, said the 2015 tree planting exercise is a worthy step to stem the tide of environmental degradation and inordinate exploitation of earth’s resources.
He added that is year’s event is unique in the sense this is the first time Governor Ambode would be participating in the exercise.
Ogunbanbi hinted that the exercise is taking place simultaneously in all the 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) with six (6) sites designated as ceremonial sites across the state.
One of the highlight of the event was the presentation of award plagues to outstanding students, teachers, individuals and corporate organisations who participated in the ‘Me and My Tree’ programme.
Dignitaries that graced occasion includes the Managing Director, LASPARK, Dr. Titi Anibaba, traditional rulers, member of the House of Representatives representing Lagos Mainland Constituency, Hon Jide Jimoh, Executive Secretary, LASTVEB, Engr Olawunmi Jasper and a host of others.
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