Lagos seeks FG’s supports on infrastructure development

L-R: Director General of NIPPS, Professor Ayo Omotayo presenting a souvenir to the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat on behalf of the Governor and the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin during the visit

The Lagos State Government has emphasized the need for the Federal government to support her quest for the development of critical projects and infrastructure in the state. 

Speaking through the Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, during a courtesy visit of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 45, 2023 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said most of the major projects taken by her are beyond what a state can execute without Federal support.

Sanwo-Olu stated that support from the federal government is essential for the state to effectively execute some infrastructure, citing the rail project which is currently executed by the state as one of such projects which requires funding by the Federal Government. 

In a press statement signed by Tunde Alao, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media) the governor argued that Lagos is the only sub-sovereign in the world that is funding rail by herself.

He said: “If you notice, in New York, Addis Ababa, or anywhere else in the world, it is the federal government that funds their rail project. Lagos is the only sub-sovereign in the world that is funding rail line projects on her balance sheet.”

He said further, “We cannot have a population that is growing like this and we don’t have a rail. There will always be congestion, the rail is key and that is why we are hitting it and it is huge, financially,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted some infrastructural efforts put in place by the government, including the recently purchased electric buses that are presently tested, as well as the Imota Rice Mill, which processes 32 tons of rice per hour and requires more land. Despite all these, the population of Lagos is another challenge as Lagos only occupies a small portion of the entire land mass of the country, whereas, the state accommodates 11 percent of the nation's population, he said. 

He also said that to meet up with the required supply of rice to the rice mill, the State government partnered with different states such as Kebbi, Niger, Kano, Ogun and some other states in the South, adding that the state needs 200 tons of paddy in other to supply the plant, noting that “If we can continue to do this interaction, there is no reason for Nigeria to import rice.

L-R: Director General of NIPPS, Professor Ayo Omotayo; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola and the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin during the visit.

Gov Sanwo-Olu thus urged the participants to push the narratives to the public and ensure that the citizens understand that they must grow what they eat and must eat what they grow. He said the visit by the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 45 of  NIPPS to the state was very essential, saying “the sub-sovereign in our country is where we can actually make changes in the lives of the people in the state and of course the local government”

The Director General, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Prof. Ayo Omotayo commended activities of the State government and for making remarkable strides in every sector of the State. 

The Director General explained that the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 45, 2023 was on a state visit to learn and understand how the three variables namely; industrialization, energy security and climate are being applied to the development of the state, and to also collate data that will help in compiling a detailed report on the state. 

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