Babatunde Adejare, Lagos state commissioner for
environment, says not less than 6,000 people come
into the state on a daily basis.

Adejare said this on Sunday at an event organised by
the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) to mark
2017 World Environment Day.

The theme of this year’s environment day is,
‘Connecting People with Nature’.

Adejare, represented at the occasion by Lukman
Arjolaiya, principal scientific officer, environment
services department at the ministry, promised that
government will continue to seek best ways of
conserving and connecting its residents to the
environment.

He warned that if the state does not seek ways of re-
connection with nature, the future generations of its
people would be at risk.

“Every day, about 6,000 people come to Lagos and
they have to be accommodated,” Adejare said.

“Years ago, the people in Lagos are connected to
nature, but with the current population explosion, the
state has lost that connection.

“Cities are centres of population explosion, ideas and
engagements, so we must continue to find a way out.”

Adejare pledged that the ministry would continue to
support activities that would encourage environmental
practices and conservation.

Wasiu Anifowoshe, commissioner for physical planning
and urban development, said the ministry needed the
assistance of whistle blowers to ensure that residents
reserve the compulsory 3 percent of land area for
greening.

Represented by Kunle Salami, director of urban
development department, Anifowoshe urged the
residents to monitor developments in their
neighbourhood and alert the ministry of any misuse of
building plans.

He said that the ministry would work with the
environment ministry to ensure physical development
in the state complemented good environmental
practices.

Desmond Majekodunmi, managing director of at
LUFASI Natural Park , said some trees in the park had
existed there for over 25 years.

He urged Lagosians to cultivate the habit of mingling
with nature.

TheCable