Tony Oraeki,Awka
Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo yesterday said his administration has flagged off mass planting of trees across the 181 communities in the state.
Soludo said the tree planting would serve as a primary measure to prevent further destruction of communities by erosion menace.
The Governor, represented by the State Head of Service, HOS, Mrs Okwy Theodora Igwegbe, flagged off the exercise at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka, during the 2022 World Environment Day, celebration, with the Theme; “Only One Earth.”
In her remarks, Igwegbe said every Anambarians must plant at least ten trees annually.
She warned against bush burning, barging of wastes, reckless/uncontrolled excavation and deforestation, saying that offenders would be sanctioned or imprisoned.
She urged citizens to report quickly, any active erosion before it becomes serious issue.
The State Commissioner of Environment, Engr. Felix Odumegwu, also urged Ndi Anambra to eschew any form of deforestation and embrace afforestation in order to restore the ecosystem.
The Commissioner noted that to sustain the environment, one must key into the state government’s initiative in promoting healthy environmental activities.
According to him, the tree planting programme under his watch, is tagged; “Operation One House Two Trees.
He said the theme of this year’s World Environment Day, “Only One Earth”, was aimed to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystem in Anambra and to raise awareness on the urgent need to safeguard natural habitats.
He however announced that the state is currently having over 1,000 erosion sites.
