The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) has established an Urban Forest park to complement the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources’ programs in celebration of the Year 2021 World Environment Day.
Speaking at her office in Agidingbi, Ikeja, the General Manager of LASPARK Mrs. Adetoun Popoola stated that the setback of the Abraham Adesanya Estate on the Lekki-Epe Expressway measuring approximately 17,256 square meters was previously characterized by heavy unauthorized trading and artisanal activities, vagrants, unlawful waste disposal and clogging of the drainage that captures rain water run-off from the expressway.
She noted that the space also served as a hideout for nefarious activities and was a security risk to motorists, pedestrians and the immediate community noting that the State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources dislodged the illegal occupants from the space thereafter handing over to LASPARK for development which birth the ‘urban forest’.
Popoola said portions of the setback were allocated to organisations who indicated interest to partner with LASPARK by adopting and developing the spaces at ‘no cost to the State Government’.
She added that individuals, SMEs, corporate organisations and NGOs are encouraged to ‘adopt’ open spaces, parks and gardens in line with the agency’s drive for a beautiful, healthy and sustainable environment by putting to good use open spaces that have already been landscaped or earmarked for beautification thus providing opportunities for development of scenic, ornamental and edible gardens, plant nurseries etc.
The General Manager said the entire space is now home to over 500 ornamental and economic trees of various species attracting birds and butterflies, consists of a spiral loop trail for walking and jogging, garden seats, fun wall art, solar-powered security lights, plastic waste collection bins provided by LAWMA and a very spacious car park for visitors.
She stated that the Garden provides space for rest and recreation in the middle of the built environment where both adults and children can play, read a book, relax and even purchase indoor and outdoor plants and flowers to take home.
Speaking further, Popoola stressed that the World Environment Day is a significant day set aside by the United Nations since 1947 to encourage worldwide awareness and action on the importance of protecting the environment to enhance healthy living saying over the years, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world annually.
The General Manager said on the 5th of June every year, the State Ministry of Environment and its agencies host programs and activities to educate the public on the hazards involved in destroying or polluting the environment.
“This year’s observance of World Environment Day with the theme: ‘ecosystem restoration’ is no different with the establishment of the Urban Forest park”. She added.
She urged inhabitants of a fast growing city like Lagos to find simple but impactful ways to get involved with ecosystem restoration like earmarking spaces within their communities – homes, offices, schools etc. to create gardens and plant trees and flowers, reducing single-use plastic and recycling adding that the establishment of the Urban Forest is one of the ways that the Lagos State Government is leading by example.
Popoola attributed the success of the project which was completed in three weeks to support from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources as well as sister agencies like LAWMA, LASAA and LASEPA
She urged Lagosians to use public spaces responsibly saying that the space is a proof of concept for further establishment of urban forest parks and gardens across the city to provide a safe haven for nature to flourish and valuable biodiversity to thrive as well as spaces for human recreation, ecotourism, job creation, enhancing resilience to natural disasters through climate action etc.
While declaring the Park open for public use, the Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources Mr Tunji Bello emphasized the need for massive acceleration of global ecosystem restoration efforts to fight the climate crisis, enhance food security, provide clean water and protect the earth’s biodiversity.
Bello said Lagos State has witnessed tremendous social and economic development which has inadvertently adversely impacted the environment in both scope and severity.
“We have chopped down forests, plowed the grasslands, slaughtered wild life, filled wetlands and polluted the air and water. The causes of degradation are many have impacts at different scales. These impacts have pushed the ecosystem to the breaking point”, He added.
The Commissioner stressed that ecosystems can be restored by planting more trees, saying trees can help rebuild carbon stores in soils, making them more fertile so the growing population can feed adding that in ensuring a safe, resilient and sustainable Lagos, there is an urgent need to respond to the decade-long call to action by joining the rest of the world to combat the unsustainable consumption of natural resources.
He appreciated Governor Sanwo-olu for his relentless efforts in tackling the issues of the environment as encapsulated in the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda while urging Lagosians to join the state government in the fight against environmental degradation and pollution.
