The Ogun State Government has disclosed its plan to commence intra-city bus service to reduce emission and gridlock on the city roads, as part of the State Transport Strategic Plan to ease movement of the people.
Penpushing reports that Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known, at an event organised in commemoration of the 2021 World Habitat Day,in Abeokuta, the State Capital
The Governor said the Ministry of Environment had been strengthened to improve monitoring of the environment and reduce pollution, as well as the State Waste Management Authority to ensure efficient waste management.
Penpushing further reports that, Abiodun who described the theme of the celebration, “World Habitat Day: Accelerating Urban Action for a Carbon-free World”, as apt, said the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, caused by human activities, could be worsen by the projection that the world urban population would reach 6.419 billion by 2050.
“We have prepared and started a State Transport Strategic Plan. Preparation is in top gear to commence intra city bus service to reduce emission and gridlock on our city roads, while we have also carried out rehabilitation and construction of about 272kms of critical roads state wide, as well as encourage the use of gas and issuance of permits for laying of gas pipelines, especially for commercial uses’, he added.
‘’As people continue to come into the State with its attendant effects, this administration has discovered the importance of an effective urbanisation in the discharge of good governance, which will be translated into the provision of physical development, adequate transportation, traffic and efficient waste management’’ he said.
Penpushing also reports that he stated that three new core competency urban planning and development agencies namely; the Ogun State Slum Regeneration Authority, Ogun State Building Production and Management Authority and the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit were created towards ensuring a carbon-free environment.
“The future of our planet depends on national, regional, local governments, world organisations, communities, institutions, the private sector and everybody working together to create a sustainable, carbon-neutral, inclusive cities and towns”, Abiodun noted.
Penpushing reports that, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olatunji Odunlami earlier in his welcome address said carbon was the building block of life and the most important element in living things, despite the causes of global warming which is an aspect of climate change being experience in the world today.
The commissioner pointed out that the Day was to focus on the serious issue of the impact of the urban and city activities on the ever-increasing carbon footprint and to embrace actions that would reduce it to zero level.
Penpushing reports that, in his goodwill message, President, Nigeria Institute for Town Planning, Toyin Ayinde, opined that it was important to take the issue of environment seriously by adhering to professional advice to preserve the planet for the next generation.
The Institute president equally urged people to desist from actions and activities that deplete the ozone layer and work towards a sustainable environment.
Penpushing further reports that while speaking on the lecture titled, ‘Effects of Urbanisation and Land Use on Greenhouse Gases Emission: Strategic Options for Sustainable Development’, the Guest Speaker Prof. Kayode Oyesiku, submitted that urbanisation was an unstoppable phenomenon as large number of people live in cities.
The former Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode said daily activities of human beings led to an increase in global temperature in the recent decades and the death of about two million people as a result of natural disasters.
Penpushing also reports that, in her address, the United Nations Habitat Executive Director, Maimunah Mohd. Sharif, who spoke through virtual, said there was a need to review planning as it affects construction work, saying it is important to key into renewable energy to save the environment.
The Special Envoy on Road Safety, Jean Todt, who represented the United Nations Secretary General, said four million people live in the cities, as urbanisation continues to shape the world, urging the people to continue to strive towards a carbon-free world.
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