Governor Soludo Urges Ndi Anambra To Develop The Culture of Tree Planting
By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo has urged Ndi Anambra to develop the culture of tree planting, saying that the advantages of planting tree are enormous, stating that the state will plant at least 1000 trees a year.
Mr Governor who was represented by his Commissioner for Environment Hon.Felix Odimegwu disclosed this during the flagging off of tree planting exercise at port Harcourt road Fegge Onitsha
”So what we are doing today is in commemoration, what we want to achieve is urban redegeneration, where trees are planted on the streets, roads, highways, thereby giving a green cover of the state, we are planting trees here today, 2 years ago,The United Nations named Onitsha as the most populated area in the world but that narrative is changing now.
”God created trees to create a balance in the eco system, it brings oxygen that human beings and animals breath in and absorb carbondioxide that we bring out.
“Our purpose of doing this exercise is to plant 200 step trees today on both sides of the road, trees covered with polybag so that the cooling effects will be noticed in this area.
“The Ministry of Environment want to bring the initiative of using tree as a souvenir for birthdays, any important person celebrating a birthday, we give him/ her tree as a gift in commemoration of the birthday so that he will plant that tree, with that consciousness of tree planting, having a green cover will be achieve”.he disclosed.
“We have to embrace the earth, not minding that we sometimes have natural disasters but with proper planning and programmes like the Anambra Tree Planting Day, slated for every June 10th, we can always be ready for any form of disaster, be it natural or man-made.”
He added that tree planting is essential as a means of combating climate change challenges such as desertification, drought, and erosion amongst others.
According to him, Ndi-Anambra must commend the achievement of the State Government in the Greening and Restoration of Indigenous Trees project towards curbing climate change challenges.
He urged the Onitsha traders and residents to protect the newly planted trees, noting that if mature, it will not only beautify the city, but it will also protect the land for nature and restoration of the planet.
The Commissioner for Information Mr Paul Nwosu while speaking commended the commissioner for Environment, Odimegwu adding that tree is life, that he want to be part of it.
He also appreciated the National Institute of Public Relations, Anambra Chapter for using tree planting in commemoration of their 60th birthday.
In her remarks, the Chairman of Nigerian Institute of public relations, NIPR, Prof.Angela Nwamuo disclosed that NIPR embarked on tree planting to commemorate the 60th birthday of NIPR, which she said that started in Abuja on 1st June.
According to her, She said that other chapters go back to their states and reciprocate this, which Anambra State Chapter decided that they will not do it alone, that solution mantra, Governor Charles Soludo started this program
” We said that we will queue into it by partnering with the Ministry of Environment, NIPR Anambra. State Chapter is joining the national in celebrating the diamond jubilee, so we are doing this with this symbolic planting to help the eco system.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon.Emeka Orji disclosed how Fegge used to be when they were growing up and frowned on how it was before the coming of Governor Soludo, who did not leave any stone unturned in making sure that the lost glory of Onitsha is restored.
He said that these trees are planted all over in the LG secretariat, saying that he believed that within now and next year, we will see something difference in Onitsha south.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Onitsha South Landlord Association, Chief Okwudiri Obinwanne commended Governor Soludo, Commissioner for environment, others for the job well done and advice Onitsha residents to maintain the trees planted in their area so as to achieve the clean, green and liveable homeland.
Dignitaries present at the event were the House Member representing Fegge 1 constituency in the State, Hon. Fred Ezenwa, Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Beverly Nkemdiche Ikpeazu Esq, TC Chairman Onitsha North Local Goverment, Hon.Tony Nwora,, Managing Director ASWAMA, Chief Mike Ozoemena, Onitsha South APGA Stakeholders among others.
