The Lagos State Government says it will plant coconut seedlings and other fruit-bearing trees during the state 2020 Tree Planting Day, on July 14.
Mr Dapo Olakulehin, General Manager of Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), made this known to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.
Olakulehin said the exercise would be carried out in collaboration with Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK) in the 57 council areas of the state.
He said that fruit-bearing trees would be planted because they would provide nutritional and health benefits to the citizens on maturity.
According to him, over 100,000 coconut seedlings will be planted during the exercise.
“Fruit trees and coconut seedlings will be planted in 2020 edition to provide nutritional and health benefits to the citizens when the trees mature.
“In addition, household will be encouraged to plant the seedlings through the distribution of free seedlings to interested residents,” he said.
He said the exercise would be done by few state officials in order to maintain social distancing, adding that they must use face masks in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.
The general manager said that some tertiary institutions, beach managers and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) would also be involved.
He said the Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, and top officials of the ministry had visited the LASCODA coconut seedlings production stations at Oko-Oba, Agege and Mowo, Badagry, to assess the seedlings.
He said the visit was also to ascertain the level of preparedness of the authority for the tree planting exercise.
He quoted the acting commissioner as expressing delight at the progress of work and the number of seedlings ready for the exercise. (NAN)
