Tunji Adedeji
The Imo State Governor, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha on Wednesday performed a tree planting exercise to mark the 2019 World Environment Day as part of his commitment to make Imo State the neatest state in Nigeria
Ihedioha who flagged off the tree planting exercise yesterday at the Douglas House Owerri advised the people of Imo State to cultivate the habit of planting trees to promote afforestation and sustainability of the environment.
According to Ihedioha “Today, we are here to undertake the symbolic planting of trees as part of the activities to mark the World Environment Day 2019, themed: “Air Pollution.”
Ihedioha who promised to make Imo the neatest state in the federation, maintained that trees had roles to play in the control of air pollution, saying trees could make our environment safer, cleaner and healthier.
According to him, “I enjoin each and every one of us to go home today and plant one tree. If all of us in Imo plant a tree our state will have over 5millon trees.”
“Upon assumption of office we said we aspire to take Imo where it used to be the cleanest city in Nigeria and promised to make it better than we met it. We are insisting our environment has to be cleaner and we felt like cashing on this opportunity.”
“Everyone is encouraged to plant trees in their surroundings as they also help to freshen the air we breathe in, and the correct season to do so is now.”
“Be informed that, in the New Direction Blue print of our administration, a wholesome environment is a priority. I assure you that we shall work hard to attain it,’’ he said.
The exercise was a way of sensitizing the people of Imo .Ihedioha later proceeded to Relief Market dump site where he ordered immediate removal of refuse.
The governor called on Imo people to adopt the right attitude for waste management, saying indiscriminate dumping of refuse was not helping matters.
The World Environment Day is celebrated worldwide every June 5, to educate the people to take ownership of their environment and to actively engage in the protection of the planet earth.
