Lagos commits to sustainable development, environmental protection

The Lagos State government has pledged to deepen efforts aimed at achieving the sustainable development goals and environmental protection for the present and future generations.

It also assured residents that the inaugural Lagos Sustainability Summit (LSS) will further drive sustainable development across all sectors and mitigate environmental challenges in the state.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, who stated this in a chat with journalists in Lagos, explained that through strategic planning, resource mobilisation, and rigorous monitoring, it plans to build a more equitable, inclusive and prosperous city for residents.

Finnih said the government is encouraging investments in projects that support the SDGs and integrate Environmental Social Governance (ESG) criteria into financial decision-making and building resilient networks to ensure responsible waste management, local sourcing, and ethical labour practices.

She said: “Our focus areas are targeted at climate mitigation and financing, community engagement and inclusion, ethical business practices and social impact, sustainable finance and supply chain. Others are inclusive development, and green jobs, underscore our commitment to not just sustain but thrive.”

According to her, the summit to be hosted by the State Office of Sustainable Development Goals in partnership with the State’s Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and Safety Commission will also chart a course for Lagos to emerge as a model for sustainable urban development, characterised by harmonious parlance between social equity, economic prosperity and environmental stewardship.

Finnih argued that as the world is undergoing profound changes through climate change, technological advancements, and shifts in global dynamics redefining what it means to be a thriving society; the government is focused on the mission of ensuring that the path to the 2030 goal leaves no one behind.

She said the event, themed, “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Lagos,” would serve as a call to action and roadmap to forge a city that is prosperous, equitable, and environmentally sound.

The General Manager, LASEPA, Dr Babajide Ajayi, said the agency activities of industries, commercial services, public and private sectors, and communities, ensure that firms, facilities and businesses run their business sustainably by environmental standards and laws.

He said the agency is committed to emission reduction, limiting pollution, and discharge into water. He disclosed that the state is collaborating with the Ogun State government to halt the current open defecation on the stretch of Lagos Ibadan Expressway Road median, adding that the authorities have initiated enforcement, and lighting up the axis to stop the habit.

The Director General of the state’s safety commission, Dr Lanre Omojola, harped on occupational safety, health and creating a safe workplace, adding that the commission is committed to its mandates in compliance with the related sustainable development goals.

“We have a robust arm from school, oil and gas, the market to the construction sector on how to work safely. Every establishment must imbibe the culture of safety. Every worker must be able to perform their duty without fear of disease, harassment, and death,” he said.

On his part, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Budget Planning, Dr Lekan Balogun, highlighted the crucial role of partnership in deepening a sustainable environment in the state.