The rapid transformation of the City of Lagos in
the last five years got world attention at the weekend as two renowned
international bodies, Citigroup and Urban Land Institute, ranked her as one of
two most innovative cities in Africa. The other city is Cape Town in South
Africa.
Citigroup and Urban Land Institute which assess
cities worldwide in terms of sustainability and livability, ranked Lagos and
Cape Town the most innovative cities in Africa in the list of the
world’s 25 most innovative cities.
According to the ranking, Lagos got the nod of the
international bodies for its population, rapid progress and potential as well
as positive economic climate and potential for investors while Cape Town was
ranked for its green space and massive investment in public transportation,
technological research and the environment.
In terms of Economic potential, Lagos Port was
ranked for accounting for 80 percent of Nigeria’s seaport activity while the
City itself accounts for about one quarter of the nation’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) with USD 33 billion and the population in excess of 18 million
making it the most populous city on the list of 25.
Lagos, according to the ranking, was also included
in recognition of the innovative and transformational leadership of the head of
Government of the City of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN)who, according to
the international ranking bodies, “spearheaded the introduction of the
Innovative Advisory Council which deals primarily with Science and Technology”
“Upon the establishment of the Council, Governor
Fashola reportedly stated: ‘Cities that fail to harness the power of innovation
will eventually become the customers of those that do’”, Citigroup and the
Urban Land Institute said.
A statement from Urban Land Institute which said
the shortlisted cities “provide new avenues which reflect remarkable,
forward-thinking decisions on the part of municipal leadership”, also described
Lagos as one of the “Big S” cities in Africa and predicted that it may soon
overtake Johannesburg as the Continent’s business hub
Coming barely five years after the commencement of
massive infrastructural renewal programme of the Babatunde Fashola
administration, the recent rating has confirmed the established fact that the
City of Lagos is gradually realizing its dream of becoming Africa’s model
mega-city.
Taking a cursory look at the meticulous
implementation of the various developmental programmes of the present
administration, from the infrastructure renewal programme through the
integrated transport system to the beautification and greening of the city, it
is little surprise that the City of Lagos should catch the attention of the
world rating body.
Cape Town was rated due to their green space
ration of 290 square metre per person as against the world index average of 74
sqm per person as well as its massive investment in public transport
infrastructure (in the shape of the Integrated Rapid Transport System), a
project which is estimated to cost nearly USD 6 billion by the time it is
completed.
The City is also favoured by the rating
international bodies as a result of the use of technology and research in
operations in its Harbour as well as concern for the environment and in the way
they use land.
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