August 12, 2024.
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Ogun State Government has announced plans to plant thousands of trees yearly with the aim of tackling deforestation and to promote sustainable environment.
This was made public in a statement by the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, at the maiden edition of the Ogun State Tree Planting Day with the theme “Greening Tomorrow, Today”, held at the state Secretariat in Okemosan, Abeokuta, on Sunday.
The exact number of trees to be planted annually is not specified, but the effort aligns with global reforestation initiatives.
The Governor highlighted the importance of tree planting for sustainable environment, “This maiden edition of Tree Planting Day in our dear state is not just a ceremony,” Abiodun stated
Abiodun also mentioned the state’s comprehensive environmental efforts, in promoting LPG and natural gas for cooking in rural areas, reducing reliance on firewood.
Also, Implementing a 25% green space requirement for construction projects and establishing the Ogun State Parks and Gardens Agency.
“It is a further commitment to our environment, our future and our legacy for generations unborn, especially with the state government’s promotion of the use of LPG and natural gas to replace firewood for cooking by the rural dwellers and not forgetting the introduction of 25 per cent green space policy as a condition for construction approvals, the establishment of Ogun State Parks and Gardens Agency and the protection of forest cover with aggressive reforestation projects, among others, by our administration,” he added.
Residents are urged to shelve deforestation and encouraged to support Government efforts by protecting the new initiative.
Speaking at the event is the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, who cited enough reasons for a state like Ogun which hosts over 6,000 industries to embrace the “Green Initiative”.
“There is a need to maintain ecosystem balance, and trees play a crucial role in this,” Oresanya said.
