Sanwo-olu reveals state’s resilience, innovation in tackling environmental challenges

Calling for collaboration between residents and all stakeholders in achieving climate change impact, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu,  has reaffirmed the state’s resilience and innovativeness  in tackling  environmental challenges confronting its development as a low-line, coastal megacity.

According to the governor, the state, through compact city planning, is aimed at emission reduction by targeting critical sectors such as housing, transactions, energy and waste management among others.

The governor stated this during this year’s World Habitat Day, in line with the celebration theme “Accelerating Urban Action for Carbon-Free World”,

Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Jaj, the governor stated that as a result of climate change induced challenges, he has retrofitted the economy of the state by adopting energy saving alternatives as a decisive step towards reducing carbon footprint.

He added that initiatives like tree planting campaigns, landscaping and beautification of open spaces, climate change advocacy summits and the promotion of waste recycling have become institutionalised in response to the scourge in Lagos State.

Noting the inherent opportunities in climate change in the state, Sanwo-Olu said that his administration recently signed the N25 billion Green Bond Market Agreement to galvanise the financial sector in providing viable financing options for green and sustainable projects in areas such as climate change adaptive transportation, housing, health and agriculture among others.

He added that efforts to address climate change were necessary to maintain the competitive edge of the State as a Megacity, an international gateway and a business hub.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako stated that successive topics of the celebration had underscored the importance of the environment, particularly the built environment, as a superstructure interconnecting with other important sectors.

While calling on stakeholders to reflect and take progressive steps forward in the vanguard of a livable and sustainable city that is carbon-free and climate resilient, Salako stated that the theme of this year’s celebration was a clarion call for actionable plans and strategies for the achievement of a truly sustainable world for all.