A two-acre parcel of land between Osborne Junction, Lugard Avenue and NNPC have been converted into seven lush gardens for the relaxation of residents of Ikoyi area of Lagos.
The Alfred Rewane Beautified Site was undertaken to bring nature back to the Lagos residents.
Babatunde Hunpe, aide to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos on Environment, said that the gardens were conceived to consolidate the smart city agenda of the state government.
Hunpe said that the beautification project showed the state government’s commitment to solving major environmental challenges in the state.
He said that the gardens were geared to meeting the sustainable environment criteria of the Millenium Developmental Goals.
According to him, relaxations sites help guarantee the psychological well-being of the residents.
“These scenic parks are in line with the commitment of the present administration to initiate and execute greening policies and programmes that would be enduring.
“I call on private organisations, philanthropists, non-governmental organisations and other lovers of the environment to support the state government’s determination towards delivering a beautiful, safer, cleaner and greener environment to this generation and the generation yet unborn.
“It is after we have done this that nature can be at peace with us,” he said.
Mrs Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, General Manager, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), said that the choice of the location of the gardens was significant.
Adebiyi-Abiola said that Ikoyi, being one of the highbrow areas of the state, was gradually losing its serenity.
She said that the idea to embark on the beautification of the sites was conceived to bring nature back to the people of the locality.
She said that it would complement the serenity for which Ikoyi and its environs were known for and would also enhance other beautiful sites around the area.
Adebiyi-Abiola said that the sites had among other states of the art facilities, garden seats, garden lights, rail guard and ornamental plants.
She said the state government was committed to continually initiate and implement environmental policies and programmes that would enrich the aesthetic nature of the environment.
“The major objective of various environmental protection laws, including the campaign on tree planting, was to achieve a serene, beautiful and healthy state that will guarantee the general wellbeing of the citizenry.
“The current trend in the beautification and landscaping of road setbacks, degraded areas, gardens and open spaces by the government shows awareness that a beautiful environment is a peaceful and serene sight to behold,” Adebiyi-Abiola said.