Speeches

Lagos Island Millennium Group On The Environment (LIMGE) Fund Raising Dinner

Jul 22, 2008 - Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to speak to you this evening at an event that marks a watershed in our partnership for the sustainable development of our environment.

This initiative to undertake a fundraising event by the Lagos Millennium Group on the Environment (LIMGE) for identified capital projects within this community is a welcome development not only because it will compliment our efforts and investments as a Government in the reinvention of the Lagos Island Business District as the best place to do business but because it further reinforces our belief for a committed and sustained relationship between the private sector and the civil society with their immediate environment. I therefore commend the members of LIMGE for this first major step. I assure you that Lagos State Government will continue to walk with you on this most patriotic path. The commitment encompasses socially responsible behaviors and gestures by corporate entities and individuals with a view to contributing to the social, economic and cultural development of their community.

The Lagos Central Business District was at some time in the history of our development the choice place to do business. The first modern malls in black Africa were on the inner Marina and I remember with nostalgia as a child how priceless a visit to Leventis and Kingsway were to me. They were a special treat from my parents as we reveled in the wonder of the escalators. Who can forget the annual Christmas visits to their famous grottos to see Santa Claus who we famously referred to as “Father Christmas”. The Lagos Central Business District housed the best of our companies and businesses until its consistent neglect by successful governments and critical stakeholders which led to mass exodus of businesses and its subsequent take over by street traders and urchins.

Over the last 9 years however, the Lagos State Government has committed significant portion of your resources in the rejuvenation of this Central Business District by the rehabilitation of various networks of roads, provision of drainage infrastructure to stimulate the regeneration of the entire community.

We are therefore happy to witness the renewed interest in the regeneration and redevelopment of this Business District as shown by your presence here tonight and as seriously demonstrated by other stakeholders within the community like the Central Bank of Nigeria who has indicated its desire to commence the redevelopment of its Lagos Head Office in tandem with the new outlook of the Central Business District.

I must however quickly mention that we are not where we ought to be yet. Reports of the damage visited on these newly constructed roads are unacceptable while the undertaking of trading activities on the streets and concrete slabs placed on drainages not only compound our traffic challenges but also constitute great environmental challenges within the Central Business District. It is imperative for the community stakeholders to ensure the sustainable usage of these infrastructures as they were provided with the tax payers’ money and therefore must be jealously guided by them.

For the first time, a new office of cabinet rank, the office of the Special Adviser on the Central Business District has been created as further demonstration of our commitment to the revival and renewal of the Central Business District. We have commenced the redevelopment of the Oluwole Market which will be completed in the 1st quarter of next year to deal with the immediate challenges that street trading poses to our environment. Indeed, we are currently evaluating the potentials of developing other markets such as the Jankara, Pelewura and Ojo Oba to top class markets with the requisite infrastructure in a bid to totally eradicate the menace of street trading within the Business District.

We are vigorously addressing the environmental and safety threat posed by the Bank of Industry building and will solve it with finality very soon.

Only yesterday, your State Executive Council evaluated various comprehensive plans for the redevelopment of the entire Olowogbowo area into a vibrant and modern urban mixed-use district with a pleasant pedestrian retail street experience and a quality working class residential lifestyle that will celebrate the historical and cultural heritage of the island.

This redevelopment when completed will preserve the residency of the current occupants, utilize the retail energy of the area and promote synergy between the Broad Street end of the Central Business District as well as with the Balogun Street commercial activities, establish a new tourist area and improve the living conditions of the area’s residents.

I am advised that funds raised here tonight will be utilized in the refurbishment of the Lagos Island Fire Service Station and provision of logistic materials to support the Fire Station including hiring security personnel for the effective monitoring of the Central Business District in order to make it a safer and secure place to work and do business.

Your Government has also recently approved the procurement of 2 (two) special fire engines fitted with telescopic ladders to address special needs for fire and re-use service in high rise buildings which characterized the CBD. We have recently also recruited 250 new firemen and women in addition to providing dedicated water tankers to accompany fire engines to address the issues of water shortages at fire scenes.

Together we carry the burden of preparing the future for the next generation. We bear this burden stoically; we do so with courage, we do so with belief that with your support, we can discharge it. Indeed, we are all bound together under a special obligation, the most solemn that a mind can conceive, for the good fortunes of the Lagos Central Business District, to regenerate it and sustain it. I also assure you that principles and integrity will never be compromised as we discharge our duties even as we shall treat all and sundry equally under the law. Once again, I thank you for your demonstration of commitment and partnership.

Ti oju o ba ti Ehingbeti, oju o ni ti Eko.

Eko o ni baje o.

Babatunde Fashola, SAN