How Uncontrolled Migration Is Overstretching Public Facilities, Services In Lagos – Sanwo-Olu

Eko Hot Blog reports that Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has opened up on the state’s “self-inflicted troubles” resulting from what he described as the growth trajectory of the state over the past two decades.

He spoke on Thursday at the ongoing Africa Investment Forum (AIF) in Marrakech, Morocco, with the theme: “Leveraging Cities and Municipalities for National Development.”

According to the Lagos governor, more people drifted to the city from different parts of the country each time it made a progress in its development effort.

He noted that the uncontrolled migration leads to the continuous expansion of the state’s population, which overstretches public facilities and services.

Sanwo-Olu, however, shared the approach being adopted by his administration to surmount the challenges facing Lagos and turn them to opportunities.

The Lagos helmsman explained that his government had been addressing infrastructure deficit facing the state by committing short- and long-term investments in critical areas to bolster Lagos’ resilience and aid mass mobility.

He said the six-pillar THEMES economic agenda rolled out by his government had changed the development trajectory of the state, resulting in completion of first sub-national intra city rail infrastructure.

The governor stated that Lagos could now boast of an integrated mass transportation system, because of priority accorded the Transportation and Traffic Management.

As part of the move to decongest the metropolis and spread the state’s population, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos entered into “sister city” relationship with neighbouring Ogun State with the aim to deliver infrastructure that would encourage physical development in suburbs.

The governor said the siting of Lekki airport project in Epe, Sea Port project in Badagry and extension of Lagos rail infrastructure into Badagry corridor and boundary communities of Ogun State were part of the moves to decongest population in Lagos metropolis.

Sanwo-Olu made a case for more investment in the African creative sector, noting that it is one area that could be leveraged to promote economic sustainability on the continent.

He told the audience how Lagos would be changing the narrative of the creative economy in Nigeria when Lagos Film City project being constructed in Epe is delivered.

The governor, while explaining how his administration had secured investor confidence in raising capital for key infrastructure being undertaken by the State, said Lagos had a robust mechanism of self-regulation and assessment in place, which, he said, had been promoting transparency and accountability in project financing.

Sanwo-Olu wooed investors at the forum, stressing that the state needed more investments in rail infrastructure, airport projects and waterways transportation, among other areas.

He added that the state’s commitment to servicing long-term financial instrument, such as Green Bond, and autonomy granted the judiciary to resolve issues arising from disputes, as well as regular audit of State’s account had boosted investors’ confidence in Lagos.

The AIF is a multi-stakeholders platform that advances infrastructure investment and raises capital for city projects.

African business leaders, investors and heads of multilateral institutions, including the President of African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, graced the event.

Sanwo-Olu participated in a discussion panel moderated by AfDB’s Senior Advisor on Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr. Victor Oladokun.

Other panelists were the Vice President of the Municipality of Marrakech, Morocco, Prof. Khadija Bouhrachi, and Vice Governor of Autonomous City of Abidjan, Hon. Yeo Klotioloma.

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