Climate Change: LASPARK, LAGFERRY charge residents on tree planting
The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency ( LASPARK) and the Lagos State Ferry Service (LAGFERRY) have charged residents of the State to plant trees in their environment, saying that it would enhance the ecosystem.
The agencies gave the charge on Thursday at the LASPARK/LAGFERRY initiative of 50 Tree Planting Ceremony held in Mile 2 Ferry Terminal in Amuwo-Odofin local government area of the State.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASPARK, Mrs Adetoun Popoola, explained that the initiative was to propagate the environmental sustainability vision of the state government, adding that the government had planned to plant 20,000 trees within one year.
Popoola stated that the agency had collaborated with other MDAs and private bodies in the state on the tree planting action, saying that planting of trees would not only beautify the environment but also fight climate change.
She added that the agency partnered with the Lagos Coconut Development Authority to plant coconut trees, stating that it would also promote coconut production in Lagos and Nigeria at large.
” The Lagos Coconut Development Authority gives us 20 coconut trees to plant here. Interestingly, Coconut is a Lagos tree and it is significant to plant those trees here because we must also promote coconut production in Nigeria and Lagos especially.
” The soil here is very vital for planting. My team came twice to do soil test and prepare it for planting. We carefully selected the species that would grow in this environment and that is why we selected the coconut and the palm”, said Popoola.
She encouraged all residents to plant trees in their areas, saying it is healthy for the environment and their life, calling for more partnership with Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private individuals.
However, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Hon. Ladi Balogun, stated that the collaboration with LASPARK was to ensure environmental sustainability in Lagos, adding that environmental sustainability forms part of the vision of the government of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Balogun explained that the planting of trees in the vicinity of LAGFERRY was not for today but for future purposes.
He encouraged residents to emulate the state government by planting trees in their homes, saying that it benefits the society.
The LAGFERRY MD said that the collaboration would add value to the environment and help to sustain the ecosystem.
He stated that the agency had an established department that would handle the sustainability of the planted trees, saying that the plants would be sustained.
Some of those who carried out the planting of the trees were; Mrs Adekanbi Adenike (GM, LASIAMA), Fatai Onafowote (DG, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency), Bilikiss Adebiyi ( GM, LASRRA), Oluwadamilola Emmanuel ( MD, LASWA), Babalola Obilana (DG, Lagos State Pension Commission), Olumuyiwa Oshin ( ED, Lagos State Pension Commission), and Doyin Akinyanju ( MD, IBILE Oil and Gas).
They were all given certificate of participation.
