Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Investments worth $8.3 billion were attracted by the Lagos State Government in the last two years, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs Solape Hammond, has revealed.
The aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that these investments were made possible through the economic policy of the state government designed to improve the business climate of Lagos and promote socio-economic prosperity.
Addressing journalists at the Y2021 ministerial press briefing, she disclosed that the administration of Mr Sanwo-Olu will continue to bring in, retain and leverage inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Mrs Hammond informed newsmen that while the government is currently engaging several local and international organisations for various investment possibilities in the state, efforts have been made to support more than 12 private sector investors interested in Lagos.
According to her, the state government, through the Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, has in the last two years participated in several global campaigns to attract investments and partnerships for the execution of the SDGs-related projects.
Accordingly, the office has established a good relationship with embassies, high commissions and development agencies of several nations including the UK, Netherlands, France, China, Canada and Japan.
She disclosed that plans are underway to launch an investment deal book that details investment prospects across major sectors in the state.
“Other strategies and efforts undertaken to promote sustainable investment in Lagos include the strategic partnerships with development agencies comprising the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Africa Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD),” the Special Adviser said.
Speaking on the engagement model designed to amplify the delivery of sustainable development goals, Mrs Hammond said the office launched the maiden SDGs Week, in conjunction with some organised private sector players, where free food items were distributed to vulnerable citizens, instructional materials to primary school pupils and medical equipment to nursing mothers across the state.
On the effort to establish and strengthen resilience, livelihood opportunities and short term employment for Lagos residents, she revealed that the Conditional Cash Transfer Project in vulnerable communities was implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to her, over 2,103 MSME owners received unconditional cash transfer while 951 beneficiaries of Cash for Work were paid to carry out environmental sanitation and hygiene for three months.
“The office coordinated the launch of the Lagos Care Initiative, a socio-economic intervention programme for vulnerable residents designed to impact about 20,000 people, 69 markets and 2,512 MSMEs.
“Also, at the inauguration of the Lagos State Human Capital Development (HCD) Core Working Group, the office was made the secretariat of the group, which aims to develop a strategy and action plan to increase state-wide HCD investment,” Mrs Hammond declared.
Also, the Special Adviser noted that the birth of the Lagos State Volunteer Corps (LSVC) is significant in encouraging citizen participation and inclusion in governance as individuals, corporations, civil society, the diaspora and international partners have been actively involved in carrying out both government and private initiatives.
With above 9,000 Lagosians signing up for the scheme, the Special Adviser stated that over 50,000 man-hours have been volunteered to execute several projects across the 57 LGs and LCDAs of the State, including the distribution of palliatives to Lagos residents during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the distribution of the Mother, Infant and Child Health (MICH) Food Pack.
