Experts Call for People-Centred Infrastructure to Drive the Economy

Economic drivers and experts, including the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode and the Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian Government to Nigeria, Ms. Cleo Wilson, have called on government institutions to collaborate with the private sector and civil society groups through well-crafted, future proofed private public partnerships (PPPs), to bring the desired infrastructural development to the country. The experts, who spoke at a three day colloquium, organised by the Center for Ethics and Sustainable Development (CESD), also argued that sustainable infrastructure delivery must be people-centred and environmentally friendly.

Wilson, in her opening speech emphasised the strong bilateral relationship between the Australian government and the Nigerian government, highlighting the various initiatives the Mission has been implementing to promote this strong tie.

Governor Ambode, who was the keynote speaker at the event, emphasised the need for government to work in partnership with players in the private sector to bring the desired development to the people. The governor, who was represented by the Mr. Babatunde Adeoye of the state’s ministry of Environment, also pointed out the need for sustainable infrastructure planning that can drive development.

Speaking on the nexus between infrastructure and development, using the CECD guideline for sustainable infrastructure planning, the Director General of Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Chidi Izuwah, stated that the three pillars of sustainability will help to structure the process of rational, transparent and consensus-based decisions on the infrastructure project and the necessary trade-offs. He also added that the step would prevent the frictions and setbacks caused by neglecting social and environmental sustainability aspects, thereby reducing uncertainty for policy makers and investors.

Earlier, the convener of the colloquium and the Executive Director of CESD, Dr. Olajumoke Akiode called on citizens to always be conscious of activities and situations around them both in the private and public spaces; and to question the status quo especially in governance as the infrastructure deficit plaguing Nigeria and Africa is a function of inefficient governance.