LAGOS/Nigeria: In a bid to bolster economic vitality and tackle climate change challenges, the Lagos State Government signaled its eagerness to collaborate with foreign investors, emphasizing a commitment to fostering business opportunities across the region.
This declaration emerged following a pivotal business rendezvous between the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, and officials of the Lekki Free Zone at Alausa, Ikeja.
Mr. Wahab articulated the administration’s dedication to amplifying commercial prospects throughout the state, underscoring substantial investments already channeled into the Lekki Free Zone corridor. He asserted that this sector stands as the future economic powerhouse of Nigeria, pinpointing Lagos State as the sole region in the country with a clearly delineated climate change strategy—a consequence of its vulnerable coastal terrain susceptible to rising sea levels.
Highlighting recent strides, Wahab pointed to the launch of the second phase of the Lagos Climate Resilience and Adaptation policy, an initiative emblematic of the state’s unwavering preparedness to combat climate-induced adversities. He also extended an invitation for collaborative partnerships and investments, particularly in the waste management sector encompassing solid and liquid waste, as well as other environmental opportunities.
Moreover, Wahab outlined specific rural areas ripe for investment, emphasizing the transformative potential such endeavors hold in reshaping local narratives and bolstering developmental commitments within these communities.
“It is not enough to have the commitment on paper,” Wahab emphasized. “If you have the approach and desire to lift 50,000 households on the solar belt out of the National grid and put them under this policy, this portrays commitment.”
The Commissioner lauded the government’s efforts in augmenting physical infrastructure within the Lekki Free Zone, citing significant advancements in road infrastructure spanning from Akodo to Epe, Abraham Adesanya, and the free trade zone areas.
Responding to the state’s overture, Mr. Zhang Bin, the Managing Director of the Lekki Free Zone Development Company, expressed eagerness from his organization and China to support Lagos in its climate change initiatives within the Lekki Free Zone territory. Bin underscored their willingness to share expertise, identify governmental needs for solar belt programs in surrounding communities, and provide support in capacity building. Additionally, he pledged assistance in improving power supply and livelihoods across Africa.
The convergence between the Lagos State Government and the Lekki Free Zone signals a promising alliance geared towards economic growth, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience—an amalgamation poised to reshape the developmental landscape in the region and beyond.
