Dr. Folayinka Dania, Lagos State Chief Resilience Officer (LASRO), urged for sustainable solutions to address the numerous challenges facing Lagos’ citizens during the Lagos Resilience Forum. The forum was themed “Leveraging Resilience for Lagos’ Development Trajectory”.
Dania emphasised the significant impacts of climate change on the environment, highlighting the state’s climate change adaptation and resilience plan. The plan aims to protect coastal communities, improve waste management and water supply, enhance infrastructure to prevent flooding in schools and public places, and protect critical infrastructure.
Speaking further, she warned of the potential costs of inaction, estimating damages of $33 billion to $39 billion by 2050, nearly 12 times the state’s annual budget. She noted that approximately $9 billion is needed to implement the necessary measures, and the state is exploring various financing mechanisms to support these projects. Additionally, Dania stressed the crucial role of community members in waste management and the need for education on reducing waste, reusing, and recycling to mitigate climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
According to her, “In terms of flood management, people in the communities also have a role to play in waste management as climate change and greenhouse emission have impacts. So, we are educating people to reduce their waste, reuse and recycle.”
The forum, she stated, is considered strategic for achieving sustainable development as it aims to strengthen the implementation of resilience-building initiatives, making them more effective and efficient in addressing Lagos State’s increasing challenges.
Similarly, Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Mosopefolu George, remarked that the forum provided a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, share knowledge and expertise, and develop innovative resilience approaches to tackle the state’s challenges.
He emphasised Lagos’ status as a model for excellence in governance across Africa, attributing this to efficient policy implementation and continuity of good governance.
“Lagos has continued to be the centre of excellence and the economic nerve centre of the country. Efficient implementation of policies and continuity of good governance over the years have made the state become a model for measuring excellence in governance across Africa,” he stated.
George reaffirmed the state’s dedication to realising the benefits of resilience through the comprehensive implementation of the resilience strategy. He praised the Chief Resilience Officer and her team for their outstanding work and commitment to driving resilience initiatives forward.
In his keynote address, Dr. Adedoyin Salami, former Chairman of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, emphasised the crucial role of data and private sector involvement in shaping the state’s resilience strategy. He highlighted the importance of collaboration and data-driven decision-making in building a resilient future for the state.