Global warming: Lagos frowns at increasing rate of tree felling

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has raised the alarm over the increasing rate of tree felling in the state, saying it threatened the recommended 10 percent of the landmass as well as the targeted 10 million trees by year 2020.

Ambode said this in his address at the Year 2016 Tree Planting Day, organised by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), held at the National Youths Service Corps (NYS), Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, therefore, cautioned residents to desist from indiscriminate and uncontrolled felling of trees, just as he harped on the benefits of tree planting to a healthy environment.

While describing tree planting as the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of global warming, flooding, climate change, beautification of environment, as well as preventing criminal hideouts, Ambode added that such was the more reason why people must protect the trees and plant more to replace those removed.

His words: “It is a known fact that the destruction of trees and other woodlands is on the increase and according to the state Ministry of Agriculture our forest covers stands at less than three percent against the recommended 10 percent of the landmass.

“Today’s human infrastructural activities are threatening the survival, hence, the theme Lend a hand to save trees. We are therefore, soliciting that, irrespective of human needs for survival, we must ensure that our environmental degradation is minimized so that we can jointly protect the environment.

“Trees planting has been identified as one of the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of global warming and climate change.

“The peculiarity of our state as a coastal city-state makes it compelling to ensure a healthy balance between the quest for infrastructural development and the need to preserve the environment.

“This calls for strict adherence to all the Town Planning and greening regulations in the state.

“I am please to note that with over six million trees planted, we are progressively moving towards achieving the target of planting a total of 10 million trees by 2020,” he said.

He said that the state remained committed to green environment and would pursue the state greening policy of total regeneration of degraded sites.

According to him, the state shall integrate planting along all new roads being constructed as well as creating more recreation parks and gardens.

Ambode said that he would ensure that all open spaces in Lagos were landscaped and beautified with plants, shrubs and flowers.

He urged all well-meaning residents and non-governmental organisations and institutions to come on board and contribute to bringing about the desired changes in the environment.

The governor, who enjoined all residents to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees, advised Lagosians to ensure that trees planted survived.

He said: “The fast growing urban development areas across the state must curtail the uncontrolled felling of trees and ensure all developers adhere to all the Town Planning and Greening regulations.

“We must plant trees to replace those removed from vast acres of land so that we reduce the rate of ocean surge and erosion with its attendant problem of displacement of homes and communities.”

While alluding to the estimate of scientists that the world needs 30 billion trees annually, Ambode said a world without trees is a world without life, and so as a people, Nigerians must resolve to ensure that trees were not only saved, but efforts must be geared towards planting more trees.

According to the governor, “Already, the Security and Light Up Lagos initiatives of our administration are complementing our beautiful city at night and ensuring the parks and gardens that are safe for recreational purposes.”

Besides, he disclosed that work was at advanced stage at the parks being constructed by the state government in Alimosho and Ikorodu, adding that the projects would soon be completed and opened for public use, promising that government would enforce tree planting along all new roads being constructed, maps well as create more gardens and ensure the upgrade of all open spaces in Lagos.

The governor, who said government alone could not achieve the greening policy, advocated a collective action by all relevant agencies and organisations to achieve the vision of bequeathing a greener and healthier environment to generations yet unborn.

Similarly, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, at another event held at Ikosi Senior Secondary School, said the importance of as trees provide oxygen, cool the atmosphere, help conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save children from ultra-violet rays and provide food, among other benefits.