The Executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Sanwo -Olu has stressed the importance of Smart City project in driving Lagos toward a technologically based economy.
Speaking at the Y2021 Lagos State Infrastructure, Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), Stakeholders’ Conference with the theme: “Lagos State Metro /Smart City Initiative: the future of Technological infrastructure” Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his administration’s commitment to continue investing in technology, which according to him is critical to the development of the state and nation in general.
He urged key stakeholders in the private sectors to collaborate as partners with the State Government to create a Lagos that works for all. In his word, “Government is committed to providing ease of doing business for investor to make life better for citizens as well as provide adequate security of lives and property in the state”.
Mr, Governor also stated that, the state would emulate countries especially Singapore that use modern technology for massive economic and social development and also collaborate with the private sector at ensuring a functional and productive Smart City.
Governor Sanwo-Olu during the conference also confirmed the Acting General Manager of LASIMRA, Engr. (Mrs) Bisoye Coker –Odusote, as the substantive General Manager of the Agency.
On her part, the General Manger LASIMRA Engr. Bisoye Coker –Odusote stated that with emergence of modern technology, many countries are leveraging the “internet of things” to revolutionise several facets of their economies through attraction of talent, foreign investment, with attendant positive effect on the environment, people, and governance as well as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
In line with Mr Governor’s T.H.E.M.E.S Policy Agenda, repositioning Lagos State as a Smart -City is a major focus of this administration, with a well- designed roadmap, the administration has been working hard to improve the efficiency of services and eliminate redundancies in major sectors to promote an enabling environment for businesses, as well as residents.
Also speaking at the Conference, the Commissioner for science and technology, Mr Hakeem Fahm, who delivered the keynote address stated that, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s plan to fully transform the state into a Smart City and make Lagos economy 21st Century compliant is on course.
He added that, the ongoing laying of 3,000 km fibre metro network duct and broadband infrastructure across the state is part of the comprehensive smart city programme of the government aimed at driving Lagos into a 21st century economy.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. (Mrs.) Aramide Adeyoye during plenary, said the State Government is committed to the Smart City Project to reduce crime, increase investment and drive governance among other things.
Other panellists, which comprised Deputy CEO, Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, Mr. Zhao Wen Jun; Chief Development Officer, West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), Mr. Darren Bedford and Chief Technical Officer, WTES Project Limited, Mr. Sunil Gubbi, urged Lagos State Government to leverage technology and partnership with the private sector to achieve the Smart City and 21st Century economy status.
The Chief Executive, Skystone Capital and Investment Limited, Mr. Ola Olabinjo; Managing Director, Coleman Technical Industries Limited, Mr. George Onafowokan; Special Adviser to the Governor on Technology and Innovation, Mr. Tunbosun Alake and Senior Advisor, Kasi Cloud Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko spoke on financing critical inputs of the Lagos Smart City Project.
The conference was well attended by stakeholders in the Utility Infrastructure sector of the State. The Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Smart- City, Mr Folarin Coker gave the vote of thanks.
