Lagos can accommodate 40m people, says Fashola

LAGOS State can accommodate no fewer than 40 million people if basic infrastructure are enhanced, Governor Babatunde Fashola has said.The government, he said, would be accelerating the development of infrastructure to enable it cope with the projected growth.

He spoke at a conference on African Development entitled: "Managing Africa's urban transformation," organised by The Economist. He assured investors of his administration's commitment to realising the objective as it is aimed at boosting the state's economy.

To cope with the population, he said, government is determined to continue to pursue all developmental initiatives and infrastructural renewal projects through Public Private Partnership (PPP). The conference, which attracted business and financial experts, mayors, and economists worldwide, borders on the prospect and challenges of population growth for African nations in the emerging world economy.

Fashola urged investors to tap into opportunities provided by the population upsurge and contribute to the state's growing economy.

He said collaboration between government and the private sector on roads, education, environment, water supply and transportation has improved the living condition of the over 20 million residents of the state.

Fashola said: "Lagos can accommodate about 40 million people; we are planning towards that by building upwards rather than sideways. We are improving on the infrastructure through PPP initiative. We have recorded some success in that regards which can be seen from the Lagos-Ajah-Epe expressway."

Mr David Frame, Managing Director of South Energyx Nigeria Limited, the developers of the Eko Atlantic City, said the proposed city would accommodate about 400,000 people and provide job opportunities for over 150,000 others in fast foods, transportation, housing, banking, tourism, hotels and other sectors.

"I see Lagos as the future city of Africa. There will be a lot of opportunities when the Atlantic City is finally created. It is clear that Lagos is the city of entrepreneurs; people can make use of the opportunities that abound here," Frame said.

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