The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) has unveiled their achievements in the last two years in making Lagos greener and healthier in an interactive session with stakeholders and journalists on Wednesday at the Garden, Bayo Kuku street Ikoyi Lagos.
The General Manager of the Agency, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola in her opening remark said “It’s an opportunity for us at LASPARK to showcase some of the things that we’ve done over the last two years. Both at LASPARK, as well as our partnership scheme with our partners and friends, some of them are here, they are going to be sharing their experiences engaging with LASPARK”.
“Our mandate is to beautify Lagos, with both recreational activities and planting of trees, making sure they survive. Basically, our mandate at LASPARK is to make Lagos greener and healthier through the creation and maintenance of functional and operational parks and gardens, planting and maintenance of trees”
She stated that the agency has planted 24,125 trees so far across the state and developed 10 parks reclaimed from illegal squatters, hoodlums and street traders such as Outer Marina, Abalti Barracks to Dorman Long, Mobolaji Bank Anthony way, Oba Akinjobi GRA Ikeja, Triangular lay buys at Opebi, schools and hospitals. Others are Holy Child College Obalende, Ferry Service Mile 2, landscaping and beautification of Mother & Child General Hospital, Badagry among others.
Mrs. Popoola affirmed that “We have also built a tech hub at Shasha Park, Akowonjo that show case the functionality of space that brings value and exposure to businesses”.
“We also have green houses where the public can buy ornamental plants, tropical plants and flowers to plant in their homes and business places”.
She urged the public and private individuals to partner with the agency so as to have at least a recreational facility in every local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary office of Environment Services of the Ministry, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye, expressed appreciation to partners of the agency who have improved the aesthetics of the state by supporting the beautification and greening of the environment.
She said the state is 70 per cent water, 40 percent wetland and one tenth of Niger State in size and needs to be carefully maintained. said the agency was working on having parks and gardens in residential areas where residents could ride their bicycles and walk without the intrusion of cars.
Mrs. Odeneye averred that this would make for healthy living and less frequent visits to hospitals as a result of fresh air. Also urged Lagosians to adhere to the state environmental law that states that at least 30 per cent of tenement must be beautified with flowers and trees.
Stakeholders at the event also gave testimonies of their engagement with LASPARK, the CEO, RF Gardens, Ikoyi, Tolu Olusoga, thanked the management for giving RF Gardens the opportunity to partner with them for a Greener Lagos while commending the agency for their support and quick approvals said she was surprised that a government agency can be that professional without undue bureaucracies. She said they offer service to Lagosians by allowing them express themselves out door and reinventing their environment tailored to their needs.
Creative Director, Aby’s Greenhouse, Abieyiwa Oshevire urged Lagosians to patronize and encourage their businesses for the exotic tropical plants, noting that most of the plants imported into the country are endemic to Nigerians and Lagosians in particular.
The CEO, Mil May, Mrs Mary Awaritefe, a University of Benin graduate of Forestry & Wild Life and born by agriculturist parents, said she has always tinkered with plants and flowers since she was 7 years. She confirmed she has found fulfillment in running her garden. She however, asked the agency to do more by encouraging up and coming horticulturist and gardeners to succeed.
Founder/ Director Shodex Landmark Beautification Ltd, Mr. Olusola Adekoya affirmed that the GM of LASPARK, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola has done well in the beautification of Lagos State Environment. He revealed that Shodex have been working with Lagos State government for 30 years.
Mr. Adekoya said government can only succeed in making the state green by encouraging the planting of 10 million trees yearly. He further urged government to encourage interested individual with passion to engage in the business of greening their environment.
