… Organises Workshop for Heads of the Department of Budget LG/LCDA
In line with the present administration’s effort to strengthen its ability to manage stresses, shocks and other challenges in the best possible ways, the Lagos State Government recently hosted a forum for Heads of the Department of Budget and of all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the State.
The forum which was aimed at giving awareness on initiatives in the Lagos Resilience Strategy (LRS) with a view to meeting the demands of governance in the 21st century has become an established tradition to drive the implementation of the Lagos Resilience Strategy, since its public release in February 2020, as it affords the State the opportunity to further enshrine its resilience agenda and its overall goal to survive and excel in the face of any unforeseen challenge
In her welcome address at the event, the Lagos State Chief Resilience Officer (CRO), Dr. Folayinka Dania stated that the forum was designed to provide the government the opportunity to bring together stakeholders for the adoption and implementation of the LRS initiatives for the benefits of all residents, especially at the local level.
Dania explained further that the LRS was the State and Nigeria’s first urban resilience strategy document, and it articulates an integrated approach to addressing shocks and stresses Lagos experiences or might experience in the future.
While urging members of the forum to participate actively in imbibing the State’s resilience strategy, the CRO noted that their suggestions and recommendations could birth robust ideas capable of enhancing the State’s resilience.
Her words: “We are here today to intimate Local Governments and Local Councils officials on resilience and how the Lagos Resilience Strategy can be adopted at the Local Government Level in line with our objectives and goals. We will discuss the different attributes that constitute the building blocks of the strategy and how they could impact projects and programmes that are being implemented across the board. We will also identify challenges to the implementation of planned projects and programmes; and proffer strategies to mitigate these challenges”.
Dania commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the commitment of his administration to build a stronger, resilient State.
Director, Lagos State Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Bashir Oseni-Ope said there was the need to regularly key into various government platforms of data management such as Eko360, Demographic Dividends and Open data (vital data) digital forum by Lagos State Government – which are efforts aimed at ensuring good governance in the State.
Mr. B. R. Ogunshola, Director, Economic Planning Department at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget noted that since the people were the direct beneficiaries of any government initiatives, it is very necessary to truly engage them in the process so as to make the strategy more effective.
He further commended the government for deploying resources to implement sustainable projects that will help the State to mitigate against future shocks and challenges, adding that the effort was helping the State to advance in delivering its goals and objectives.
All participants independently rated the government high in the implementation of the resilience strategy initiatives for better and improved performance.
