Residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital, have called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to commence an urban tree-planting programme to address rising temperatures and the increasing heat across the metropolis.
The residents, who expressed their concerns in messages sent to Rooted Scope Media Metropolitan, said the absence of trees and public shade in several parts of the city had worsened the effects of intense heat, particularly in commercial centres and densely populated neighbourhoods.
They urged the state government to extend its climate change interventions beyond policy announcements and rural agroforestry initiatives to include practical measures that would improve living conditions in urban communities.
The appeal comes amid the state government’s recent unveiling of a climate change policy and circular economy roadmap, as well as its reported receipt of a ₦50m grant from the Global Environment Facility for large-scale tree planting.
Some residents, however, expressed concern that Akure’s urban centre remained largely without trees and public spaces offering adequate shade.
A visit to major areas, including Oba Adesida Road, Arakale and adjoining residential neighbourhoods, showed stretches of roads dominated by asphalt, concrete structures and metal-roofed buildings, with limited tree cover.
The residents said the situation had made outdoor activities increasingly uncomfortable, particularly for elderly people, traders and low-income earners who could not afford the cost of running air conditioners.
A retiree living near Ojo Oba Market, Mr Odulana, popularly known as Baba Ojo, called for urgent government intervention.
“The government keeps warning us about rising temperatures, but what is it doing about the heat on our streets?” he asked.
“Many of us cannot afford the electricity bills required to run air conditioners. We need natural shade and fresh air. The neem and mango trees that once lined many of these roads have been removed.”
Market women and street traders also lamented the impact of the heat on their daily activities and businesses.
A trader at Oja Oba Market said the heat became particularly unbearable in the afternoon.
“By 2 pm, the asphalt becomes extremely hot. We are struggling to work in these conditions. The city needs more trees and shade, not just policy announcements,” the trader said.
The residents maintained that public enlightenment on climate change would achieve little without corresponding action, urging the government to prioritise tree planting along major roads, markets, public spaces and residential streets.
Rooted Scope Media Metropolitan gathered that the Aiyedatiwa administration had embarked on rural agroforestry initiatives, including the distribution of 37,500 indigenous tree seedlings at Aponmu for forest reserves and sustainable cocoa farming.
However, the residents argued that the initiative had yet to address the shortage of trees in Akure’s urban areas.
Environmental experts also noted that tree-planting activities undertaken by non-governmental organisations and volunteer groups were commendable but insufficient to address the scale of the challenge.
An urban planning expert, Balogun Omowole, called for a properly funded urban forestry programme, stressing the need for the government to plant and maintain shade trees along major roads, public spaces and residential neighbourhoods.
