The Lagos State Government on Thursday intensified its smart city initiative with the unveiling of a free public Wi-Fi at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, located at Alausa in Ikeja.



The Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led Lagos State government on Thursday, launched free public Wi-Fi at parks and gardens in its resolve to achieve its smart mega city status.


The initiative was kick-started at popular the Ndubuisi Kanu Park in Alausa, Ikeja, while others are expectedto follow suit, according to the state government.


.The launch of the initiative is part of activities to mark the 50 year anniversary of the creation of the state.


Speaking on the occasion, the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode said theprovision of the free Wi-Fi was part of his administration’s effort to make the state work for all and sundry.




Represented by the state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Olufemi Odubiyi, the governor stressed that the increased in patronage of parks and gardens spreadacross the state has prompted the government to equip the centres with free Wi-Fi to serve the needs of visitors to the parks.



According to him, the provision of free public Wi-Fi in the park is part of the administration’s efforts to make Lagos a smart city, adding that achieving global competitiveness would entail keying into new ways of doing things and the deployment of technology, especially the internet.



“It is consistent with our commitment to make Lagos work for all.
Parks and gardens have been established in different parts of the state to provide a conducive environment for recreation and relaxation.



“Just last week, the number of gardens and parks in the state increased with the opening of the Badagry Park.



“The increased patronage of these facilities, which is no longer restricted to festive season, has made it necessary to equip these centres with free Wi-Fi to serve the needs of visitors to these parks.




“As you relax and enjoy the recreation facilities in these parks, we are also making it possible for you to access your email, browse and search the internet on your tablets, smartphones and laptops, via a reliable public Wi-Fi,”he said.



Ambode said the the free Wi-Fi was another landmark in the administration’s desire to integrate the State’s economy in the mainstream of the 21st-century economy, adding that recently, the government unveiled the Citizens’ Gate Portal, a platform designed to bridge the communication gap between the citizens and the state government.



According to him, his administration, with the launch of the free public Wi-Fi, has empowered citizens to express their views on the platform, as non-availability of data will no longer be a constraint.



“As a responsive government, I wish to assure all residents of Lagos State of our commitment to continue to develop and implement innovative ideas that will promote the delivery of dividends of good governance.



“As I launch the free public Wi-Fi in this park, it is my belief that this service will enhance productivity and add value to all our parks and gardens,”he said.



The free Wi-Fi/internet access project is an initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology.



A statement endorsed by the Chief Public Affairs Officer, Ministry of Science and Technology, Bolarinwa Yusuf, explained that the governor urged the people of the state to make judicious use of the newly launched portal known as “Citizens Gate”, a platform designed by the government to bridge the communication gap between the citizens and the government.

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