The Lagos state government has revealed plans to plant 10 million coconut trees under the Coconut Renewal Initiative.
The project will be implemented by the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority, LASCODA and the Lagos State Ministry of Housing. The coconut trees will be planted in all established housing estates across the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the state government, LASCODA representative, Akorede Adeboye, during a presentation of a proposal to the ministry.
Adeboye said, “Out of the 10 million, two million are to be planted in the peri-urban and urban areas, such as housing estates. Aside the economic benefits of planting coconut trees in urban areas such as within the housing estates, there are also significant environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration, improved air quality, soil conservation, and beautification of the landscape and providing shade among others.”
In his response, the Permanent Secretary of the Housing ministry, Mr Kamar Olowoshago, expressed the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with LASCODA to ensure its success.
Olowoshago promised that the ministry would immediately embark on the thematic assessment of all the housing estates in the state to determine where coconut trees can be planted.
