PROPERTY NEWS

As part of efforts to further strengthen the campaign against global warming and climate change, the Lagos State Government has celebrated this year‘s World Environment Day with many programmes.

The WED was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly in Stockholm through Resolution 2997 of December 15, 1972, aimed at re-affirming commitment to preserving planet earth and is celebrated every June 5 with attention drawn to key environmental issues.

Early on Saturday, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, had in a public broadcast called on individual and corporate citizens to contribute their quota to the reclamation of the environment from agents of degradation and urgently reduce carbon emission and embrace green economy.

This was followed by the commissioner leading other officials of the ministry and other environmentalists and conservationists on a bicycle ride from the state government secretariat complex in Alausa to the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat and back.

The aim of the exercise was to encourage alternative means of transportation to reduce the current rate of emission of carbon monoxide resulting from the constant use of fossil fuel.

In the broadcast, Banire had urged Lagos residents to embrace alternate ways of transportation such as bicycles, camels, horses and walking outside the automobiles that burn fossil fuel to reduce carbon emission.

He said, "All residents of the coastal communities should keep close watch on the shores and report any drifting ship to the Lagos State Government to facilitate quick recovery of such vessel before they become wrecks and threaten the lives of the people.

"We must desist from sand mining along the beaches and resist such action by others. Bush burning and deforestation should be discouraged by all residents; our wastes should be properly packed and disposed through the PSP waste disposal agents only.

"Our drainages, lagoon, rivers, streams and wetlands must be kept clean of all forms of waste- solid, sewage, liquid, domestic or industrial. We must protect our wild life and aquatic lives as these constitute a balance on the ecosystem."

The commissioner further said that to effectively protect the environment, the citizens must intensify the tree planting exercise, while calling on individuals and corporate organisations to continue to support the initiative in the interest of all.

Banire, while reaffirming the reality of climate change, noted that the government had taken a holistic approach towards mitigating its effects through efficient waste disposal system, institutionalisation of tree planting campaign, effective drainage system, public awareness campaign and school advocacy programme to sensitise the public on the dangers inherent in global warming.

Other activities lined up to commemorate the celebration of the day include the open day on solid waste management organised by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority.

The open day, the commissioner explained, would enable visitors and other stakeholders to have first hand assessment of the projects in solid waste management to re-evaluate government‘s efforts in waste disposal system in the state.

Some of the project sites to be visited on the day by stakeholders include the Odogunyan compost plant in Ikorodu, the Ebute-Elefun Transfer Loading Station, Marini TLS, LAWMA headquarters in Ijora Olopa and the Olusosun dumpsite, Ojota.

On Tuesday, an elaborate public enlightenment and sensitisation programme on effective management of the environment will be held in all the five administrative divisions of the state, comprising Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

Governor Babatunde Fashola will lead the team in Ikeja, while other senior government officials, including federal and state legislators will be present in the other four divisions.