Lagos, Netherlands Seek Partnership To Tackle Infrastructure, Environmental Challenges
• As Fashola receives Netherlands' Vice-Minister, trade delegation

Mar 6, 2012 - Lagos and the Kingdom of the Netherlands Tuesday, in Lagos, sought ways to partner with each other to tackle challenges posed by infrastructure deficit and coastal erosion, even as the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), revealed that the infrastructure deficit that his administration has to deal with in the State was in the region of $51 billion.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the Lagos House, Marina, while playing host to the Vice Minister, Foreign Trade of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Simon Smits, who paid him a courtesy visit, said with the State's annual budget in the region of only about $3 billion, the challenges of infrastructure deficit constituted an uphill task for his administration, especially in the areas of the number of roads and highways that need to be built as well as other public support facilities such as bridges, schools and others.

"There are much more facilities to be built such as ferries, terminals and those other life changing infrastructure that will ultimately unleash the capacity of the economy, not only in the participatory opportunities it will provide during the period of the construction, but also the exchange of goods and services they will facilitate during the constructions and after they are completed", the Governor said.

He cited the on-going expansion of the 61 kilometre Lagos–Badagry Expressway from four lanes to 10 lanes accompanied with an intra-city rail line designed for 27 kilometres in the first phase saying it would ease the movement and boost trade and commerce between Lagos and countries in the West Coast of Africa.

Noting that the global challenges of housing, occasioned by global urbanization, have not spared Lagos, Governor Fashola declared, "These are some of the challenges which I think we can create partnership with your construction companies on Private Public Partnership development basis", adding that the State already has an office created by law that serves as negotiator between Government and private enterprises coming to do business in Lagos.

On environmental challenges, Governor Fashola, who particularly expressed deep concern over coastal erosion, said the State would require engineering solutions "in order to control the challenges of nature that we have to deal with" such as unusual weather patterns, rising water levels and the problem of beached vessels.

The Governor explained that often some ocean-going vessels anchored on the Atlantic coast near the State break anchor, may be as a result of high tide, and such vessels drift to the shoreline where they run aground adding that such vessels gradually litter the coastline and the current begins to deposit sand in them thereby hastening their further sinking into the sand of the shoreline which, as a result, begins to experience escalated coastal erosion.

"There is clearly no local capacity to remove them promptly when they break anchor", the Governor said adding that he had intended to discuss with the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria "to know if there is a Dutch company that has the capacity and what it will take to do an audit and make proposal for the removal of all of those vessels in a prompt and efficient manner".

Another area the Governor seeks partnership with the Dutch nation is Water Transportation where he said Government has expanded existing facilities such as jetties and terminals in the State adding that Government is now looking for partnerships to provide technical support for the management of the terminals.

"As I speak, Lagos has expanded existing facilities - jetties and terminals - in the State", Governor Fashola said adding, "We are now looking at partnership that will bring technical support for the management of those terminals and also the operation of a large fleet of jetties that eases transportation problems of the State", the Governor said.

Thanking the Vice Minister for the visit and his "very kind words" about his administration, Governor Fashola, who attributed the achievements of the administration to his team and the people of Lagos, promised to reciprocate the visit in the very near future adding that the discussions during the current visit of the Vice Minister would form the basis for more fruitful discussions during his own visit to the Netherlands.

In his opening remarks earlier, the Vice Minister commended Governor Fashola for what he described as "tremendous progress" in the living conditions in the State saying he observed it even while driving along the streets of the city of Lagos.

The Vice Minister, who said he visited Nigeria six years ago, declared, "In the short time here, I have seen tremendous progress on the streets; changes for the better. It all goes to your personal commitment for Lagos and the people of Lagos. I complement you on that".

On the purpose of his visit, the Vice Minister said, "We come to offer our assistance from our government and our industries wherever you want to improve the living conditions further and to expand what is basically the economic heart of Nigeria and maybe the economic heart of Africa".

Earlier, in her introductory remarks, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu, described the relationship between Nigeria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands as "very good and cordial" adding that the two countries also have very strong economic ties "depicted by the investments of companies like Shell, Heinekens" and others.

According to her, the reason for the visit was "to explore opportunities to collaborate with Lagos State in particular, extending this relationship and to see how we can explore opportunities in the areas of construction, in the areas of water and road infrastructure, to mention a few".

Also present at the occasion were the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde and his Water front Infrastructure Development and Special Duties counterparts, Prince Adesegun Oniru and Dr. Wale Ahmed respectively, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Foreign Affairs, Ms Toyin Caxton-Martins and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, while accompanying the Vice Minister on the visit were the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Mr. Bert Ronhaar, Ambassador of Nigeria to Netherlands, Dr. (Mrs.) Nimota Akanbi, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Economic Affairs based in Abuja, Mr. Hans de Brabander, Director, African Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Desiree Bonis, Trade and Economic Adviser, Mrs. Pearce Quadt and Unit Manager, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Paul Zwelsiloot.

Fashola, British Envoy Discuss Improvement In Business Relations Between Lagos, UK

Feb 20, 2012 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday received the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Peter West in audience, with the discussions on facilitating an improvement in relations and opportunities between Lagos and the United Kingdom taking the lead.

Speaking at his Lagos House, Ikeja office, Governor Fashola said by mutual cooperation with organizations both governmental, non- governmental or commercial concerns of British origin, the State Government can facilitate the treatment of business permits, developmental approvals, trade permits and all allied activities that generally add to or detract from the service delivery capacities of those agencies clearly.

He reiterated that what he expects is a consolidation of the relationship that Lagos State has had with British institutions, both governmental and non-governmental as well as business organizations who do business in Nigeria.

Governor Fashola explained that over the last few months, the Lagos administration has focused on how to improve the doing of business in Lagos index in terms of how the service agencies can be much more responsive and proactive to the needs of citizens.

"We take members of the Diplomatic Community as our citizens because we are responsible for them in no small measure not only for their security and also that of their staff but also for the protection and management and environmental support for their real estate and so many other things that they depend on the municipal government to provide".

"I like to say we have had a wonderful relationship with British institutions, we think we can improve on that relationship especially with a Deputy High Commissioner who is not coming from outside Nigeria but within. You can be assured of the very long arm of support that you will get from me and all members of my team", the Governor stated.

Governor Fashola noted that the administration has benefitted from its relationship with agencies like the DFID, Justice for All, saying the interaction are as diverse as anyone cares to imagine and called for a continuation of the bi-annual breakfast meetings usually held in the residence of the Deputy High Commissioner.

Governor Fashola said such meetings have been very productive and useful because it allows things to be dealt with in an eyeball to eyeball basis and in a much more formal and sometimes informal basis where there is no need to write letters or make phone calls since the notes are taken across tables and vital follow ups done.

The Governor added that governments and Continents need one another now more than they have ever done before and the benefits of the African Continents will certainly be of benefit to the European Continent.

"We are challenged now to respond to the needs of our people in a much more changing and complex world than we are prepared to deal with. By this partnership, we would be able to deal with the challenges that we face in a way that is beneficial to both countries and people".

He also expressed happiness that quite a number of British nationals chose Lagos State as their homes, saying government wants them to continue to feel welcome as their well being is a matter of high priority and concern for the Nigerian Government as that of Nigerians in the United Kingdom have been.

Speaking earlier, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Peter West who said he understands the importance of Lagos in terms of its being an economic driver for the country added that over the period of his stay, he looks forward to strengthening the relationship which his predecessor has worked on.

He also recalled that last year when the British Prime Minister visited Lagos State, one of his key messages was to build a mutual prosperity agenda to progress on reform and economic development.

"I think one of the things I will like to hear your views about is how the British government can improve the relationship we have with Lagos State at the political, developmental and commercial level".

Mr West said though he is new in Lagos, he has been in Abuja for three years and so does not consider himself as being new to Lagos while expressing delight at being granted the privilege of meeting the Governor despite his tight schedule.

The Governor was joined by members of the State Executive Council including the Commissioners for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye and Energy and Mineral Resources, Engineer Taofik Tijani respectively.

igbaodun:

WTF is interbational.

Eko Ile no go kill people with his Yinglish. You can take Eko-Ile to America with stolen money, but you cant take agberoism out of Eko-Ile. so sad

Feb 13, 2012 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday received the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, stating that the world needs to learn a lesson or two from Japan about the stoical way it has been rebuilding its nation after the recent disasters it experienced.

The Governor who spoke at Lagos House, Ikeja when he received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, Mr Ryuichi Shoji said he visited Kobe in Japan late last year and saw a road that had earlier been devastated that was completely restored in six weeks.

He explained that that such a development spoke volume about the Japanese as a people and how they have carried on despite the fatalities of the natural disasters, saying it is something the whole world should learn from.

Governor Fashola who sympathized with the Government and people of Japan over the incident said in noting the challenges now facing the Japanese economy one of which is the issue of an aging population, the lesson comes to the fore about a case of every success bringing in new challenges.

He added that the Japanese population is aging because of the success of Japanese technology and the improvement in Japanese healthcare but there could hardly be a life without challenges.

The Governor who also spoke on leadership said it is the ingredient that the world needs today, stressing that the world needs great leaders and people who have passion for what they are doing with capacity, empathize, understand and have common touch with their people.

"We are at the beginning of a new century. It is clear that the methods that worked in the last century, the technology that were propounded by the leaders at this time in the beginning of the last century will not be sufficient to take us to a position where we can deal with the challenges of this new century", he said.

The Governor also expressed the readiness of the Lagos State Government to collaborate with the Japanese government in the field of healthcare provision and power under the ODA scheme which the Ambassador said is about to come back on stream.

Speaking earlier, the Japanese Ambassador, Mr Ryuichi Shoji commended Governor Fashola for showing a good model of leadership to other States in Nigeria and the West African Sub-region saying Nigeria is a rich country not only in terms of oil and gas but human resources.

He said some of the things that constitute the essence of model of leadership including maintenance of peace, security, good health care for the citizenry and accountability are being shown by the Governor and have attracted his country's attention.

He said Japan currently has an existing cooperation programme with the Lagos State Department of health through which two experts are in Lagos working, adding that Japan is also keen on exploring new ways of cooperation with the State.

The Ambassador also expressed the readiness of the country to work with local Non Governmental Organisations in Lagos State on the Grassroots Grand Aid Cooperation programme through which grants of about N20Million may be given for a project like building of schools, classrooms and boreholes in a particular area.

Prominent among those who joined the Governor in receiving the Ambassador were the Commissioners for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Commerce, Mrs Shola Oworu and Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mr Florence Oguntuashe.

Dec 12, 2011 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Monday canvassed the deepening of relationships between Lagos and Asian countries saying it would enable the State to adapt the changes, developments and renewals taking place in those countries in order to better the lives of the people of Lagos.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the Lagos House, Alausa, while hosting the Ambassador of Korea to Nigeria, Mr. Jong-hyun Choi, said since the people leading the changes and developments in those countries are still alive, the deepening of relations would enable his administration share knowledge about those changes and developments and adapt it for the benefit of the State.

Acknowledging that his administration has been greatly inspired by the rapid development it has witnessed in Asia, the Governor declared, "We are seeing changes, developments and renewals in jurisdictions by people who we can see and who are not lost in antiquity of either a 700 year history or a 200 year history. So we are seeing change and leaders of that change are alive. And this is why we have increased our contact and our interaction with Asia".

"In that sense, we would welcome a deepening of relationship with your country, with your people, to share knowledge about those things you have done well that we can adapt and those things we have also done well you can adapt", the Governor said.

He further told the Ambassador, "Just as you said, in the course of your growth, there were hard lessons to learn, we would want to know what those lessons were so that it shortens our learning curve; because, clearly, we need to be where you are and, indeed, we need to overtake from where you are".

Expressing the readiness of his administration to sit down with Korean trade delegations and investors to discuss areas of interaction, Governor Fashola declared, "We have seen very rapid development in Asia and the Middle East which suggests that the capacity, the possibility of altering things for the better remains with us when we make the decision".

"I am sure that my colleagues here will more than welcome an opportunity to sit down to discuss in much more details, to receive trade delegations from your country to Lagos", the Governor said pointing out that currently, there are increasing number of investments moving in and settling in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Thanking the Ambassador for the courtesy visit and the "kind words you have said about our Government", Governor Fashola expressed the hope that sooner than later the people of Lagos would begin to see ,in the near term, Korean investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone and in other parts of Lagos.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jong-hyun Choi, said he was in Lagos to seek areas of business relationship with the Government of Lagos State pointing out that his country has many things in common with the State of Lagos.

Noting that Korea has, over the last 60 years, turned itself from one of the poorest countries in the world, "as a result of war", to one of the largest economies in the world, the Ambassador declared, "over the last six decades of developing economically and politically, we have learnt a lot of lessons".

He told Governor Fashola, "As an ambassador of my country, I would like to work closely with your State and you Governor to develop the ties between my country and the State of Lagos so that we can create a win-win situation".

"I came here directly from Washington DC. I was the Minister for Economic Affairs in our Embassy and the Deputy Chief of Mission and I have heard a lot of good things about you even before I arrived here. Most of our men who are engaged in the public and private sectors in the United States strongly suggested to me that "once you are in Nigeria, the State Governor of Lagos is one of those whom you have to meet", Ambassador Choi said.

According to him, "I understand that over the past four to five years, you have been leading the efforts to deliver to your people quicker services of education, public health and also developing lots of infrastructure that are quicker to have your State achieve remarkable economic growth on a sustainable bases", adding, "This is what I want to meet with you on, to discuss ways of developing ties between our two parts".

Also present at the occasion were the Korean Consul General, Mr. Pilcheen Park and the Korean Embassy Counselor, Mr. Chae Gyo Jeong, who accompanied the Korean Ambassador as well as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu and her Science and Technology and Special Duties counterparts, Mr. Biyi Mabanije, and Dr. Wale Ahmed respectively as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Private Public Partnership, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi from the State Government side.

Dudu_Negro:

Eko Ile,

I think Fashola need to slow down a bit.  We acknowledge his pioneering effort but development in Lagos has peaked for the capacity of the citizen to derive meaningful utility from them.  Example, is there enough housing and shelter for poor and low bracket income earners?  How about electricity, how about sanitation?  He is bringing Netherlands for partnership, in exchange for the N50Billion he spending with them, what is he getting in return?  What aspect of their society will they contract out to sons and daughters of Lagos to go over there and build?  Back to back you have Netherlands and Britain.  

You know, tell Governor to build improvement in education, power, sanitation and health, culture. . . . these are areas that he can spend money locally within the country to revamp and bring improvement.  Constructing bridges and flyovers and sea dredging, these are high end construction and need Europeans. . . . waste of money!  

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday approved 74 housing projects across the state.

He spoke with reporters shortly before inaugurating the Elegushi Housing Estate at Lekki Phase 2.

The estate, which has 15 blocks of 90 luxury flats, was built by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC).

The governor said the new housing projects would be delivered to residents on a Rent-to-Own basis in the next 24months.

He said 41 of the projects would be sited in Alimosho, 16 in Ikeja, two in Agbowa, Ikorodu, three in Surulere and 12 in Ogba.

Fashola said: “When they are completed in the next 24 months, we would have a total of 86 projects, including the 12 on-going projects across the state. They would be delivered on a mortgage finance basis to residents.”

He said the government would continue to partner the private sector, under the Public Private Partnership (PPP), to provide decent housing for residents.

Fashola said the state’s Home Ownership Scheme (H.O.M.S) will allow beneficiaries occupy government built houses while still paying for them.

He named the newly built access road to the Monastery of Mother of the Church in Sangotedo, Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), after the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie.

Fashola spoke while inaugurating the 2.75km road, which links Sangotedo and Elemoro with the monastery and the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) estates.

He praised the Cardinal’s effort in opening up the road to development to the communities.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/03/we-wont-apologise-to-nigeria-says-s-africa/

Eko Ile:

I don;t even get the contradictory comments. You want him to do this and that, but at the same time you want him to slow down.


How else do you develop your society if not buy making it available to the internal community for investments,

United States To Increase Investments In Lagos, Says Ambassador

May 27, 2011 - Barely 24 hours to the inauguration of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), for a second term in office, indicators of the global confidence in the State continued to manifest Friday as the United States Government promised to increase American investments in the State.

The American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence P. McCulley, who gave the hint in Lagos after a courtesy visit to the Governor, said his country would also seek opportunities to increase export from Nigeria to America adding that increase in investment would also lead to creation of jobs for the people and widening the scope of development.

In an interview with newsmen after the visit to the State Governor, Mr. McCulley disclosed that he also briefed the Governor on what the American Government is doing in Lagos to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria adding that his country is currently putting experts and facilities together to check the spread of the disease.

On how his country could assist Nigeria to achieve a better and more credible election come 2015, the Ambassador declared, "Clearly, Nigerians should be very proud. The elections in April were one of the fairest and transparent in Nigeria's history of elections".

"The United States collaborated with INEC by providing technical assistance and by collaborating with political parties. We intend to continue that because our relationship with Nigeria is one of our strategic relations in Africa", the Ambassador said.

He said the American Government would continue to work with political parties and the civil society in Nigeria "so that in 2015, it will be a better process". The American Ambassador was accompanied on the visit by the American Consul General, Mr. Joseph D. Stanford and Chief of the Political/Economic Section, Mr. Philip R. Drouin among others.

gregg2: @Eko-Ile, you are obviously one village juman
fortunate enough to find yourself at Alausa.

Tell me what is very special in white guys paying courtesy calls to the
governor of Lagos State, a place that is perhaps home to their consulates and
businesses in Nigeria? For your information these same guys pay courtesy
calls to all the other governors depending on their interest. Getting carried
away by whites visiting Fashola only exposes your level timidity.

scipher: [size=24pt]That's my president. He's smart, He wears suit during coporate meetings and not agbada like some douche bags in aso rock.. He is a man of vision.. FASH FOR PRESIDO 2015.. if you don't want go and smoke tortoise[/size]

Eko Ile: I don;t contradictory comments. You want him to do this and that, but at the same time you want him to slow down.
How else do you develop your society if not buy making it available to the internal community for investments,

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd right), Sarkin Hausawan of Lagos, Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro (2nd left), Danmasani of Lagos Alhaji Say Mohammed (left) and Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed Bambado (right), during a meeting with the Leaders of the Hausa Community at the Lagos House Ikeja, on Monday, March 4, 2013.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle) in a group photograph with the President General and Leader of the Igbo Council in Lagos State, Professor Anya O Anya (6th right) and members of the Igbo Council shortly after a meeting to present the new Council Members to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, February 25, 2013. — at Lagos House, Ikeja. Lagos. 25th February, 2013.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (3rd left), the Minister for Africa, Mr. Mark Simmonds MP (2nd left), British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Pocick (left), Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Olusola Oworu (2nd right), her Economic Planning & Budget and the Energy & Mineral Resources counterparts, Mr. Ben

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN in a group photograph with the Management Team from University of Lagos (UNILAG), led by the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Rahaman Bello during a Courtesy call on the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, April 8, 2013.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd left) inspecting the Guard of honour mounted for him with the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigeria Army, Major General Obi Abel Umahi during the Opening of the Interactive Session on Military-Media Relations in Nigeria with the theme: “Enhancing Military-Media Relations Towards Improved Security”, at the 81 Division Auditorium, Marina, Lagos, on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. — at 81 Division Auditorium, Marina, Lagos. April 2, 2013.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Chairman, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mr Jim O’Neill during a Special lnteractive Session with the Governor on the theme ‘Delivering Nigeria’s Growth Promise’ at the Goldman Sachs Growth Markets Summit in New York on Thursday , 25 April 2013.