By Okey Maduforo
Onitsha South local government area of Anambra state is to plant at least 120 trees in a bid to protect the ecosystem.
Similarly the Council to commence the demolition of structures constructed at government reserved green areas of the commercial city.
According to the Chairman of the Council Area Chief Emeka Joseph Orji during the launching of this year’s tree planting season there is the need to restore the lost beauty of the town which was lost to non compliance by the inhabitance of the City.
“I recall in those days when we had trees and lawns where people come to relax and take a breath of fresh air”
“In those days in Onitsha most of the streets and gardens were well kept and people spent quality times enjoy the serenity of the parks and gardens and it was an environment for holiday makers “
“So to this end the Onitsha South local government areas has resolved to plant at least 120 trees at various strategic locations in the area “
Orji lamented that inhabitants of Onitsha have chosen to deface the town by building structures at government reserved areas warning that any structure found to have been built at government reserved areas would be demolished.
“We will not take kindly to the attitude of people erecting structures at gardens and green areas and we shall ensure strict compliance to the law guiding physical and Urban development of Onitsha South local government area”
“We shall follow the laid down laws and specifications on tree planting and restoration of our garden and parks and this would not be compromised by any person or group of persons”
“In the next coming weeks the strict compliance to the law would be enforced and we advise those involved in this unlawful act against our environment to begin now to remove those structures before we commence the recovery of our environment” he said.
Also speaking the Chairman of Fegge landlord Association Chief Okwudili Ezenwunne noted that the body has commenced the sensitization of residents and landlords on the need to plant at least two trees in their compound to complement the efforts of the Council in the area of environmental protection and recovery of the parks and gardens.
“We commend the Chairman of Onitsha South local government area for this move as well as the state government in it’s campaign of going green and we the landlord would ensure that we plant at least two trees in our compounds to assist government in this program” he said.
Chairman Anambra Waste Management Agency ASWAMA Chief Mike Ozoemena noted that with the planting of trees and recovery of lawns would go a long way in helping the ozone layer that has continued to be destroyed by the emitting of carbons by human activities.
