Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said compliance with physical planning laws and other laws of the state is required to achieve sustainable cities.
The governor spoke during the celebration of the 2023 World Habitat Day with the theme: ‘Resilient Urban Economies. Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery’, held in Ikeja, where he recounted the efforts of his administration to create sustainable communities.
He said the World Habitat Day offered a reminder of the roles and responsibilities leaders and citizens bear to the environment.
The governor, represented by the Special Adviser, e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, called on all concerned to be mindful of their responsibilities towards the built environment, “particularly at this period that different parts of the world groan under the impact of climate change and related challenges.”
He said Lagos under his administration experienced many challenges, including Covid-19 pandemic, ENDSARS protest, the attendant destruction of public and private property and other disasters such as flash floods, rainstorms, building collapse, fire outbreaks and gas explosion that left telltale impacts on lives and property.
“However, Lagos, in the face of all these adversities, continues to soar high, bringing its resilience to bear and rebounding with vigour and innovative measures to guarantee a prosperous state that will pivot a 21st century economy to the benefit of all,” he said.
He noted that with purposeful leadership and consistent incremental efforts of successive civilian administrations since 1999, Lagos State had risen above its socio-economic challenges, mostly defined by its bourgeoning population and strategic position as cultural and economic hub in the West African sub region.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun, acknowledged the significance of the World Habitat Day as an important international observance dedicated to creating awareness and inspiring actions on the state of human settlements across the world.
He said since its declaration by the UN-HABITAT in 1985 as an official United Nations International Day, the day had become a rallying point for lovers of the environment, who shared renewed interest in sustainable cities for all.
