2 July 2009
Abuja — Prof. Emmanuel Obot, Executive Director of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), wants the Lagos State Government to provide spaces for the planting of trees and flowers on highways.
Obot, who was speaking on Monday in Lagos, also called for dedicated lanes for cyclists.He said that such provisions would complement the government's current beautification programme.
Obot said the government's road expansion project was likely to wipe away a large expanse of vegetation, noting that there was therefore the need for replication. He said that for instance, "Lekki-Epe Expressway is until now the only part of the state where we still have patches of vegetation.
"With the ongoing expansion, some of the areas will be destroyed, so we need spaces to urgently replant such areas." Although he lauded the state government for expanding the road, Obot said it was imperative to make the expressway environmentally sustainable.
"Government should make the provision for planting of trees and ornamental flowers on separate lanes.
"Aside from the aesthetic value, such vegetation would absorb carbon emissions and prevent denudation of the environment," he added.
The NCF boss also urged the government to encourage the use of bicycle by providing lanes in its road expansion programme.
"With the effects of climate change being felt around us, we need to cut vehicular emissions and make provision for bicycle lanes," he said.
Obot urged the government to earmark resources for the maintenance of the planted trees.
NAN
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