Lagos State Government has announced plans to install 32,000 Solar-Powered Street lights across the metropolis to boost security and improve road infrastructure, in line with the present administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Developmental Agenda.
Governor Babajide Sanwo’s second term in office is riding on the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Developmental Agenda, which encompasses Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a twenty-first-century economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Governance.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos, Gbenga Omotosho made the announcement at the Joint Citizens’ Media Engagement Forum organised by the Ministry of Information and Strategy held in Ikeja to interact with Media practitioners drawn from print, broadcast and online.
Omotosho, who identified the immense power of robust and constructive engagements in shaping the world, explained that the Forum is an avenue for the public to stay informed through the media about the state government’s actions, policies, and decisions. He also said it provides a channel for feedback, allowing citizens to voice their opinions and concerns.
”In a world where information flows at an unprecedented speed and where the public’s perception can make or break institutions, the role of periodic stakeholders’ engagement is increasingly becoming a pillar of global peacebuilding. In today’s interconnected world, trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, whether between governments and citizens, businesses and consumers, or organizations and their stakeholders.
”Therefore, building and maintaining this trust between the government and its various stakeholders has become both a challenge and a necessity. As the custodian of transparency, the architect of dialogue, and the facilitator of engagement, our Ministry (Information and Strategy) plays a critical role in this process of building sustainable trust among entities, he noted”.
On the soon-to-be-installed solar-powered street lights, the Commissioner said the government is moving towards cleaner energy because they are easy and cheaper to maintain when compared to the diesel-powered street lights currently in use across the State.
”In 2025, we will be prioritizing the maintenance, upgrade, and expansion of existing road networks, bridges, rail systems, and drainage infrastructure, to enhance mobility and mitigate the impact of climate change. Distinguished guests, part of our core goals this year is also to sustain our policies and programmes aimed at environmental regeneration.
“As a coastal state, Lagos is uniquely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Therefore, we will continue to implement initiatives such as the Lagos State Climate Adaptation Resilience Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy.
”Our waste-to-wealth initiatives will not only create jobs but also ensure a cleaner environment. Additionally, we are implementing tree-planting campaigns, and investing in flood management infrastructure to protect lives and properties.”
Other projects expected in 2025 are sixteen jetties, ten additional ferries to enhance water transportation, road infrastructure, construction of Lekki International Airport, five food hubs, Modern Markets, One Hundred and Fifty bed Massey Children Hospital in Lagos Island, a new General Hospital in Ojo, Five Hundred bed Mental Health Centre, Ketu-Ereyun, Epe.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olumide Shogunle in his welcome address said the Joint Citizens’ Media Engagement Forum is to inform Lagos residents about the plans of government through the Media, get suggestions and the feedback will be taken to the State Executive Council for deliberation.
”Everybody has their eyes on us. They want to know what we are doing, They want to know where we are going and it is you who are our media friends that can put it out there, Shogunle remarked”.