President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will continue to support Lagos State in the drive to boost the State’s economic potentials to become one of the smartest cities in the world.
President Buhari made this pledge at the 2021 Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit, which had as theme, “For a greater Lagos: Setting the Tone for the next Decade”.
The President in his goodwill message to the 2021 Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit said his administration recognized Lagos as pivotal to the development of Nigeria and has over the years committed to supporting the State to unleash its potentials.
“The theme of this year’s Lagos Economic Summit invites us all to share our aspirations for a Megacity that boldly occupies its place in the global standing of Megacities.
“A Lagos that can keep up with its growing population in terms of housing, education, healthcare, security and jobs.
“A Lagos that is innovative and productive, and that ensures that its economic prosperity leaves no one behind.
“I enjoin all speakers and participants to go out in the course of the next few days to think and contribute along these lines, and to come up with a practical master plan for achieving this Lagos of our dreams.
“…The challenges of Lagos must, therefore, be very clearly seen as part of the challenges of Nigeria and the Federal government will support Lagos to overcome its challenges and thrive socially and economically”, @MBuhari #EhingbetiSummit2021
President @MBuhari Tuesday pledged that @NigeriaGov will support more massive investments in Lagos State to boost its economic potential as one of the world’s fastest growing megacities.#EhingbetiSummit2021 #Thread
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) February 16, 2021
While listing some of the infrastructural projects embarked upon in the State, President Buhari said the government had granted approval for the temporary transfer of the moribund National Theatre to the Bankers’ Committee to invest in upgrading it into a world-class hub.
“In the creative arts, culture and technology sectors, we are determined to continue to open up opportunities by which youths can achieve their dreams and aspirations, as well as thrive in a safe, secure and increasingly prosperous country,” President Buhari said.
On his part, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said by 2030, the state would be a “smart city” and would witness technological infrastructure that would unleash a technology revolution:
“The smart city that is unfolding would also promote a make-up of intelligent cameras that would support not only security and policing across the State, but would also ensure that traffic management and data collection for urban planning is next to none”.
The 3-day Lagos Economic Summit is a Public-Private sector driven project targeted at collaborations for social and economic development of Lagos State.
Amaka E. Nliam
