In 11 years, the Lagos State Government has planted 7,539,221 trees, General Manager, Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) Mrs Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola has said.
The trees were planted in the 57 councils in the state, she said in a statement to commemorate the Tree Planting Day on Saturday.
She described tree planting as a worthy global mission to enrich the earth.
”When the tree planting programme was institutionalised 11 years ago, we had no doubt in our mind that it will be a sustainable project.
”Today, to the glory of God and your unwavering support, we have planted 7,539,221 trees. Our 10 million target by year 2020 is surely achievable,” she said.
At Isolo Local Council Development Association (LCDA), the Chairman, Shamsideen Olaleye, said Lagos was faced with increasing population, along with the pressure of industrialisation and vehicular emissions.
This, he noted, had led to considerable rise in urban pollution affecting air, water and land.
He urged residents of Kolawole Shonibare Street at Ajao Estate where trees were planted to ensure their growth.
The council, Olaleye said, would inspect the trees regularly.
A member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Nurudeen Solaja-Saka, said trees helped to temper heat, cold and wind, and create a surrounding where humans and animals can live comfortably.
”Apart from its capacity to reduce urban temperatures, it can also absorb pollution of all kinds, particularly chemical and even noise from the environment,” he said.
At Itire-Ikate LCDA, the Chairman, Ahmed Apatira, said the state’s sustained commitment to the yearly exercise has consistently earned it national and global recognition in environmental sustainability.
Apatira’s counterpart in Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Princess Rasheedat Abiodun Adu urged the residents to desist from cutting trees.
”This is our planet, let us work together to save and preserve it for generations yet unborn. All our actions should be geared towards saving the planet earth, saving lives by planting more trees,” she said.