The voluntary participation of the people in the tree seedlings planting today is a symbolic event that helps to strengthen peacebuilding and national unity, Government Communication Service (GCS) Minister Legesse Tulu said.
The minister, who participated in planting seedings at the ICT Park in Addis Ababa, told ENA that the mobilization of the inhabitants in the campaign is a symbolic event that could help further strengthen peace building and national unity in Ethiopia.
He observed that the willingness of the inhabitants to come out in droves to plant seedlings was exciting.
“In all parts of the city, the residents, including children, elders and the youth, are out en mass to plant saplings…. In a similar way as we mobilized the people en mass for the Green Legacy Initiative, we will protect our peace and unity. This is the people’s interest.”
For Ethiopia, the Green Legacy is more than mere tree seedlings planting, the minister said, adding that the campaign plays big role in tackling recurrent droughts and carbon emission.
“More than anything else, today is our day to make history by planting 500 million tree seedlings to break our own record of last year,” Legesse stated, pointing out that he has “planted 30 tree seedlings thus far, and will plant up to 100 saplings the whole day.”
The planting activity in the ICT Park has drawn many from all walks of life.
Recall that Ethiopia plans to plant 25 billion saplings in the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency