PROPERTY TRANSACTION GUIDE

How tree planting in Lagos can succeed - Residents
By Agency Reporter

Punch, Monday 26th July 2010

The success of the recent tree planting exercise that took place in different parts of Lagos State will depend on the understanding of the campaign by the citizens and the commitment of the authorities to sustain it.

This was the aggregate view of residents in the state, who spoke to our correspondent variously on the issue during the week. They said that though desirable, the exercise would not achieve much success if the citizens were not properly enlightened on why they needed to compliment government‘s efforts by planting and nurturing trees.

A community leader in Ilamoshe, Oke Afa area of Isolo, Mr. Ganiyu Adeyemo, said that though the various local government councils and local council development authorities had sensitised Community Development Associations to the campaign, there was the need to extend the enlightenment campaign to other residents to enable them take proper care of already planted trees and even plant more on their own volition.

A woman leader in Ikeja Local Government Area, Mrs. Bimbo Sadiku, urged the government to remain focused and underline its seriousness by coming up with regulations that would make it a crime for people to cut trees without permission, while also rewarding citizens who plant and nurture trees.

A resident of South-West Ikoyi, Mr. George Chukwuneke, commended the state government for specifying the types of trees that could be planted, saying that this would prevent people from planting trees that would produce edible fruits.

This, according to him, is necessary to prevent a situation, whereby people will litter the environment with the fruits, while also causing damages to vehicles and buildings when throwing objects at the fruits in attempts to pluck them.

Chukwuneke said, "Besides, trees will improve the circulation of fresh air in this congested city, mitigate some of the effects of climate change and help prevent soil erosion in some of the areas threatened by the erosion menace."

According to the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, the benefits of the deliberate cultivation of trees by Lagos residents include improvement in the quality of life (by contributing to the natural beauty) and provision of an arena for recreational pursuits. But more importantly, trees play a very basic role in the complex ecological system.

Trees, according to him, also clean the air and water, which allow animals and humans to exist, and are key to maintaining human life on earth.

He said that the exercise was part of the government‘s resolve to ensure the continued survival of the human race, which depended on oxygen being provided by trees.

He also said that trees ensured a conducive atmosphere for food production, healthy living and higher productivity, while also providing employment, combating drought and ensuring water availability.

Banire said, "The tree planting initiative is also intended to take the beautification and greening of our dear state to an enviable level by ensuring that our environment wears a grand look of a beauty masterpiece capable of competing with modern cities of the world.

"It is to encourage all of us on the need to plant trees as a way of not only showing respect for nature, but also keeping ourselves alive and well."

The Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Mr. Ola Oresanya, urged residents of Lagos State to embrace tree planting because trees were important to the sustenance of human life.