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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun,have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission.
Speaking,Governor Sanwo-Olu
said the megacity status of Lagos State necessitated the need for synergy between Lagos and nearby state of Ogun in the area of development.
“Lagos, as a megacity with a population of over 22 million people reaffirms the need for greater synergy with other states
especially our immediate neighbors for sustainable socio-economic development.
‘Our commitment to ensuring that Lagos becomes a 21st century economy makes it imperative for us to strategically collaborate with our closest neighbor, Ogun State, for the joint development of our states, the continued growth of our cities and the co-creation of value that encompasses good governance and urban regeneration,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Governor, Abiodun commended Sanwo-Olu for his giant stride in infrastructure development in Lagos, adding thatOgun State is emulating Lagos in same way.
“I called this bilateral event a success story because whereas in the past, there might have been some initiatives between our two states but this is the first time that we will have a formal, structured framework of bilateral engagement that will be legislative backed.
“It is undeniable that we share historical and cultural affinities and long before now, successive administrations have mouthed and attempted to have some omnibus or spatial arrangement to have Lagos and Ogun states to work together.”
Sanwo-Olu described the MoU as a game changer that will transform the urban status that Lagos State has attained
He said the two states will combine resources to develop border towns, as well as ensure security of the two states
in order to realise the objectives of the Commission.
“The Joint Memorandum of Understanding is a sustainable development agenda under which Lagos and Ogun states will
combine resources to meet our present socio-economic needs and prepare for the future.
“We have nothing to lose but a lot to gain by synergizing efforts with Ogun State in the areas of Infrastructural development, (the development of boundary town roads,
water works, mass transportation); as well as revenue and taxation (including PAYE remittances, and boundary town
revenue management and collection).”
Other areas the MoU will address include trade and investment, resolution of boundary disputes, security (including
intelligence sharing and gathering), environmental and physical planning activities (including urban renewal,
emergency and disaster management, inland waterways management and traffic management), and agriculture, food security.
The governor said a joint committee will be established “that will implement the terms of the Joint Memorandum of Understanding” pending the approval of the Lagos and Ogun States Houses of Assembly.
According to Abiodun, “It is undeniable that we share historical and cultural affinities and long before now, successive administrations have mouthed and attempted to have some omnibus or spatial arrangement to have Lagos and Ogun States to work together.
“But again, never had there been a time that this was concertized or encoded nor a law-backed structure, institutional arrangement; human and funding resource requirements formalized to actualize what and remains the right way to uplift our people improve their prosperity,” he said.
Governor Abiodun further said the pact takes cognizance of what had been envisioned, leading to the establishment of the Prof. Akin Mabogunje’s Committee on Redeployment of Lagos Megacity Region Plan in 2005-6.
He said the two states will “forge a common alliance to jointly tackle issues bordering on security, sanitation, traffic and transportation, waste management, water supply, land use planning, infrastructure development and maintenance, urban renewal and slum upgrading for the mutual benefit of our people and the generality of Nigerians.”
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