Ogun State Government and the Future Cities Nigeria Programme sign MoU on urban renewal and public transportation

The Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, and Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Prosperity Fund in Nigeria, Guy Harrison have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards bringing urban renewal and public transportation up to speed with global best practices.

This partnership drive between the UK and the Ogun State Government provides the foundation for the three-year Future Cities Nigeria programme implemented by Adam Smith International and funded under the UK Prosperity Fund. The programme is providing support to Ogun State on Transport, Urban planning and Renewal  on sustainable development, job creation and poverty reduction policies to plan for a prosperous future for the people of the state.

The MoU covers modern strategies to be put in place to accommodate the expected population growth in the state and to address its effect on public infrastructure, especially transportation.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony at the Governors’ Office in Abeokuta, Mr. Talabi commended the initiative, saying, “We thank the British government and Future Cities Nigeria for this laudable initiative targeted at planning towards the future in Ogun. This level of support cannot be diminished because the Dapo Abiodun-led administration is determined to change the narrative on how things are done.”

These, he said, could be seen in the various interventions by the state government in road rehabilitation efforts, security of lives and property, as well as the ease of doing business strategies amongst many others.

“Our desire is to make Ogun State, a place where you could live peacefully, and work prosperously for the future,” he added.

The FCOs Guy Harrison noted that the team was in the state to support the viable policies of Abiodun, to fully maximise the benefits of urban renewal and transportation available. “The British High Commission is extremely delighted with the state government on the various policies on sustainable development, job creation, poverty reduction and many others targeted at giving the people a new lease of livelihood”.

Adam Smith International’s Future Cities Nigeria Team Leader, Simon Gusah, underscored the importance of planning as a prerequisite to nation-building. Gusah contended that the programme represents a catalytic intervention aimed at leveraging international and British expertise towards improving trade and investments between Nigeria and the rest of the world.

He asserted that the programme has the potential to facilitate additional finance and improved opportunities for international and UK businesses in Ogun State.