The Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Ola Oresanya, on Tuesday said that residents would soon be directed to plant trees in their premises.

Oresanya said this while speaking at a ceremony to mark the 8th State Tree Planting Campaign held at LAWMA Recovery Material Facility, Solous in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony has as its theme ``Tree: the Lungs of the Earth.’’

Oresanya said that it was part of the state government’s plan to put in the law, a provision, that would make it compulsory for the residents to have a space to plant a tree within their homes.

``Very soon, the state government may pass the resolution or regulation that will make sure that occupants of every building plant not less than four trees there.

``We expect that even in an hectare of land, a minimum of 20 trees and a maximum of 50 trees are planted.

``So, when you are doing your developmental projects, probably before you get an approval, you need to show the compliance with the tree planting policy of the state government.

``The Ministry of Physical Planning or the building control people must see that the trees are planted within or around building premises,’’ he said.

Oresanya who also represented Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State at the event, enjoined residents of the state to embrace the tree-planting policy as a way of life in order to restore the dignity of the earth.

``We need to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees; and for every tree that must be removed, at least, one must be planted,’’ the governor said.

NAN recalls that the tree planting campaign began in Lagos in 2008 to stem the tide of environmental degradation and inordinate exploitation of the earth’s resources. (NAN)

•Photo shows LAWMA MD Oresanya.