Lagos’ dream of a 21st Century economy requires Lagosians to embrace the ideals of a global city: “benchmarking ourselves and our thinking and actions by global standards”.
This view was expressed by the Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu at the FORUM on “Public Private innovation for Sustainable Cities organized by the Embassy of France in Lagos.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Governor averred that significant change in attitude and orientation is required for changes to take place. “The most important intervention, as far as we see it in Lagos State, is actually behavioral change; a transformation of the thinking of the people of Lagos”. He said.
He noted that Lagos risk being overrun by its waste as it generates incredible amount of waste such that solution needs to be found in the Blue Box Programme the offer of incentives to residents to sort, re-use and recycle their waste.
He said further “we are investing in an upgrade of our waste processing infrastructure, statewide loading stations, recycling centres, treatment plants, waste-to-energy plants.”
While also disclosing that the end of Y2020 as date to roll out planned intra-city lines, the Governor said mass transport services will allow Lagos reduce “the time and productivity lost to traffic logjams, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint”.
Stating also that continued engagement with the private sector is cardinal, the Governor noted that “public and private efforts have to be collaborative and complementary”.
He also noted the need to “innovate truly sustainable solutions” adding that shared experiences and solutions are part of the strategies Lagos State is adopting.
The Governor, also reiterated the commitment of his Administration to partnering with Ogun State saying “Both government must, therefore, work together, at state and local levels, to create all enduring partnership that serves the needs of our increasingly comingled population. Under my watch Lagos is fully committed to this partnership”.
In his opening remark, the French Ambassador to Nigeria Jerome Pasquier, maintained that sustainability issue goes beyond climate change, listing other germane issues to sustainability to include; habitability, citizens’ access to basic services, pollution and prevention of “social body from breakdown”.
He disclosed that the French Development Agency is doing a lot in the realms of energy, waste management, urban transport and water supply.
