LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE ISSN 0794-6155 IN THIS ISSUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2003 No. 535 LAGOS SELECTED FOR NEPAD CITY PROGRAMME Aware of the rapid rate of urbanization in Lagos and determined to exploit its potentials for economic growth and the prosperity of African people, the UN-HABITAT and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) have selected Lagos as one of the seven African cities to start off NEPAD Sustainable Cities Programme. Ms. Mariam L. Yunusa, UN-HABITAT Senior Settlement Advisor/Co-ordinator of NEPAD disclosed this in Lagos yesterday while addressing officials of the State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget during an official interaction on the NEPAD City Programme. The selection of Lagos, according to Ms. L. Yunusa, is informed by the unique challenges posed by the size and complexity of the city, and also in response to the strong challenge of the Nigerian Government for good urban governance and the attention which the Lagos State Government has given to megacity issues since the Ehingbeti 2002. She commended Lagos State for its participatory urban decision-making process noting that such approach would make Lagos to become functional, economically efficient, environmentally sound, safe, healthy and socially inclusive. Responding, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget stated that the state has endorsed the NEPAD City Programme for which it commended the UN-HABITAT for its preparedness to partner with Lagos State to achieve sustainable settlement. Mr. Cardoso disclosed that the state stakeholders have evolved a development plan in form of a 10-point Agenda (TPA), which, according to him, is rooted in the outcomes of the various Ehingbeti fora and other city-wide consultative process, urging that donor agencies should work with the state to achieve results. Towards grounding the process and promoting wider ownership, the commissioner gave assurance that the implementation of the programme will be broad based incorporating key agencies and civil society organizations. Also speaking, Mrs. G.K. Daodu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and budget, commended NEPAD and UN-HABITAT for thinking along and working with Lagos to manage the challenges of its mega city status. She reiterated that the state government would ensure the attainment of the international Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the NEPAD City Programme which incorporates productivity, safety, security and vibrancy, amongst other goals. The decision on the choice of Lagos and six other sister African Cities followed the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of NEPAD Implementation Committee and the Summit of African Union at its 38th ordinary session when it resolved "to overcome the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in Africa". Consequently, the NEPAD City Programme which is aimed at "enhancing the role of cities in the economic development and regional integration of Africa, is being implemented by the UN-HABITAT, the global focal agency for sustainable settlement. By the envisaged UN-HABITAT partnership, interventions are expected in local capacity building for community services, infrastructure for poverty reduction and environmental management. Other focuses are safety and disaster management, shelter/housing and urban governance. For further information, please contact: : Mr. Sharad Shankardass, Spokesperson & Head , Press & Media Relations Unit, Tel: (254 20) 623153, Ms. Zahra A. Hassan, Media Liaison, Tel: (254 20) 623151, Fax: (254 20) 624060, E-mail: habitat.press@unhabitat.org, Website: www.unhabitat.org