Towards building a legacy of sustainable environment, the Kogi State Governor, Capt Idris Wada says the State government is committing the sum of N200million to execute projects under the first phase of Kogi State Government and UN- Habitat/UNEP cooperation.
The State Governor made the remarks at the inception workshop on Kogi State Government and UN-Habitat/UNEP Projects.
Capt Wada described the will to develop cities in the state, following the campaign he made to the people and towards actualising his administration’s transformation agenda.
The Governor said he remains resolute to changing the status of Lokoja, the state capital and other cities in the state.
The called on the people of the state to have attitudinal change towards culture and historical tradition that has hindered development of the state as well as to enable for rapid development.
The Governor called on the UN-Habitat team to use their reach and contact in attracting funds for the development of a city structure plan for the state.
He also urged for legislation and urban law programs as well develop an integrated solid waste plan for the state amongst others by the UN-Habitat team.
In his marks, Yomi Awoniyi,Kogi State Deputy Governor and Chairman Workshop Technical Sessions, said the Workshop is a cap to a journey following the attention caught by Kogi State during the 2012 flood which ravaged nine local government of the state.
Yomi Awoniyi the Deputy Governor said Lokoja was one of the cities selected for profiling project by the UN-Habitat. He disclosed that the state is working in tandem with the UNEP group for an urban renewal program.
Awoniyi noted that the workshop has become apt in view of the challenges by urban sprawl, deteriorating environment,housing shortages, unemployment and other notable historical socio-economic problems.
The Deputy Governor said the workshop will among others jointly agree on road map for implementation, assign roles and responsibilities to all stakeholders within the state to establish key performance outcomes with all actors.
In a paper titled an overview of the workshop: expected tangible outcomes for Kogi by Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, said the UNEP/UN Habitat is geared towards having a structural city plan,having an early warning system due to the effect of climate change and to draw up a city structure project guidelines for the state.
Prof Jegede called for technical and human capital assistance from the UN Habitat towards urban renewal of the state.
Also in his presentation, Director/Chief Scientific Adviser UN Habitat,commended the Kogi State government for timely response of the Kogi State Government assured that a city structural plan will be ready in the next five months.
Prof. Oyebanji assured the state of tangible results from the partnership, said the need for data regarding the environment will greatly assist the agency in their assignment.
