Press Releases

Why We Are Committed To Infrastructure Renewal – Fashola

Nov 18, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday declared that the consistent devotion of a minimum of 60 percent of the State’s budgetary allocation to infrastructure renewal is a practical demonstration of the commitment to the attainment of the standards of a modern mega city.

“The Lagos State Government is putting its money where its mouth is concerning the resources required to bring our infrastructure to the level of a modern megacity”, the Governor said.

He added that though the State has developed the framework for an efficient, private Sector driven model for health care delivery, waste management, potable water provision and affordable housing, a lot remains to be done.

According to Governor Fashola who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2009 Lagos State Infrastructure Forum organized by the Commonwealth Business Council in conjunction with the Private Public Partnership Office of the Lagos State Government with the theme: “Building Infrastructure for a Megacity: Vision and Practice” held at the Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, the state intends to develop further the transport infrastructure on road, rail and water that inter connect the cities and promote even development across the State.

The Governor said the Forum was conceived as an opportunity to showcase to international and domestic investors as well as infrastructure companies its policy thrust, planning priorities and the investment environment.

He added that it will also present specific infrastructure projects and investment opportunities in Lagos State particularly in sectors such as, intermodal passenger transport, housing, hospital management, water provision, waste management, water provision, water management, power, toll roads and bridges and the Lekki Free Trade Zone project.

He said that the State has completed the implementation of a very successful Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Pilot Scheme, a first of its kind in Africa which has radically improved public transportation in the State.

Said he: “We are currently extending the operation of the scheme to other routes not presently covered in order to avail other residents of the benefits of the scheme and have also awarded the design and build contract for the light rail projects for operation and bids for maintenance concessions have been received from interested investors”.

Governor Fashola told the gathering that the state is currently constructing three major jetties at Ikorodu, Badore and Osborne in addition to about 10 others which require upgrade and which the state intends to offer to investors to provide water crafts and operate passenger transport on the water ways.

“We have improved our town planning processes and systems in recognition of the importance of proper urban planning in building a viable and modern megacity. We have already engaged reputable international consultants to develop a regional plan for the State and model city master plan for the component cities within Lagos”, he added.

The Lagos State helmsman also disclosed that the state is exploring opportunities in independent Power generation and distribution which would allow it provide power to meet the needs of businesses, factories and residents alike.

He explained that one of the things which the state Government has done to ensure opportunities is the development of an appropriate legal and regulatory framework to facilitate investments in infrastructure by the Private Sector.

Governor Fashola listed some of the laws to include among others, the Roads, Bridges and Highway Infrastructure (Private Sector Participation) Development Board Law of 2004, the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Law 2005, the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority Law 2007 and the Lagos State Waterways Authority Law 2008.

He said in realisation of the critical nature of the enforcement of law and order to peace and stability, the provisions of the Criminal law has been reviewed, while a new Magistrates Court Law and a Lagos Arbitration law have been enacted to increase capacity to enforce laws and to provide a platform for prompt resolution of commercial disputes.

He said in financing the Megacity project, the State has been consistently devoting a minimum of sixty percent of yearly budgetary resources towards infrastructural renewal and expansion in addition to requiring private sector expertise and project management knowhow as well as international know-how to succeed.

He reassured that the state is very enthusiastic about learning from the experience of other mega and global cities with valuable lesson, adding that such experiences reinforce the belief that the challenges of Lagos are not unique and that from them can emerge enormous opportunities of prosperity.

Governor Fashola said by virtue of the fact that the classification as a megacity is a matter of status, there are consequences that are a mixture of challenges and opportunities.

Said he: “In this age, when concerns about climate change are at the top of the global agenda, the issue of pollution of the environment associated with all human societies but pronounced in megacities is also a big concern”.

In Lagos State we have embraced and are irrevocably committed to tackling these challenges with vision and determination, adding that “In Lagos, our efforts have succeeded in reducing crime and insecurity in Lagos State to the barest minimum. Recent data released at the end of the 3rd quarter for the year shows an overall result of 79.9 in crime reduction”, he informed.

While responding to a question on means of tackling problems of data gathering to achieve proper planning, the Governor said the State is putting in place a programme through which adequate data are captured from all sectors of the residents to assist in ensuring proper planning.

On how the Government can ensure sustainability of some of its policies and programs, the Governor asked the people to take a more than passing interest in the election of leaders by ensuring that their votes count, adding that it is when the right caliber of people emerge as leaders that they can do the biddings of the people.

On how to tackle the housing deficit in the state, he urged the decision makers to consider a change in attitude from the urge to always construct grandiose edifice that would end up being under utilized to building simple but functional houses which would accommodate many units.

Citing the example of Singapore, Governor Fashola said his reference to the Singapore experience is not because it is the most ideal but because it is an experience that is contemporary and one which can engender the can do spirit in fellow Nigerians.

He said one of the ways to make access to land more widespread is by providing subsidies and arranging mortgages which would allow people to pay on long terms, stressing however that this may be impossible as most funds in financial institutions are short term funds which cannot be lent for long term projects.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman Designate of the Commonwealth Business Council, Chief Paschal Dozie commended the Lagos State for its efforts in the provision of infrastructure in the state.

He urged the state to look into the problems of traffic gridlocks and waste problems and urged it to deepen the opportunities and potentials between the state Government and the CBC.

Also in his presentation, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor in the Embassy of the Republic of China, Mr Rong Yansong said over 30,000 Nigerians are presently being employed by Chinese companies.

While tracing the history of Nigeria China relationship, Mr Yansong said Chinese companies are ready to work with Commonwealth nations in human resource technology to fund project with high quality.

He expressed the hope that Chinese companies would be more involved in Nigerian economic projects in the future.

In his presentation on the Singaporean experience in providing housing for its population, Vice President of the Surbana International Consultants, Mr Louis Tay said much of the successes recorded by the Singaporean government in the provision of houses for its population has been due to proper keeping of data which has enabled planning.

He added that the Singaporean Government also embarked upon a deliberate policy of building structure which comprised of a mixed blend of state owned structures and private owned structures which developed side by side thus eliminating any possible problem of integration.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr Bisi Onasanya commended Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for moving the performance of the public service in the country several notches higher with his policy initiatives.

He said the bank would continue to commit its resources to profitable ways of assisting Lagos to confront the infrastructural challenges which it presently contends with.

The Forum which was put together by the Commonwealth Business Council in conjunction with the State Public Private Partnership Office was attended by members of the State Executive Council and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS).