Lagos to adopt Boston model to tackle environmental challenges

The Lagos State Government on Thursday unveiled plans to adopt the ‘Boston Model’ to clean up the State Waterways and tackle other environmental issues.
A statement from Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s office in Ikeja on Thursday said he spoke shortly after meeting with the Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh and Mr Paul Levy, the Executive Director of Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, in the US.
Ambode that the knowledge and experience he gained from Boston helped shape his career and benefited him in his position as governor.
He pledged to explore areas where Lagos could partner with Boston, especially in the clean-up of the Lagos waterways.
He also shared insights into the investment opportunities available in Lagos, stating that Lagos was the prime destination for investments in Nigeria.
At the meeting, Levy recalled the Boston Waterways and sewage crises and explained to the Governor and his team how the government worked hard for years to clean up the harbour, as well as provide clean potable water to the people of Boston.
Ambode, who was later hosted by the Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, where he held discussions on a Sister-City Collaboration, equally discussed areas for mutual economic partnership between Lagos and Boston.
The Mayor described Ambode’s visit as a homecoming, recalling that the Governor was earlier a Fulbright Scholar at the Boston University and also worked in Boston State Treasury Department.
The Mayor and his team identified areas of mutual interest with Lagos and pushed for collaboration, considering the numerous similarities they shared.
In a related development, Ambode had a meeting with senior officials of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Faculty and the MIT Africa Initiative in Cambridge, Boston Massachusetts.
The Governor confirmed that Lagos State had entered into a partnership with MIT for the use of innovation and technology to tackle the challenges facing it.
He informed the MIT Team that Lagos was the technology hub of Africa with Yaba now globally acclaimed as a hotspot for start-ups.
He also assured MIT that his government would continually work to create an environment where new businesses would thrive, as well as support more tech hubs in Lagos.
“We are Africa’s largest market and we represent a huge opportunity for businesses with solutions that can match our ambitions. Lagos is open to new ideas; Lagos is open for business, Lagos is open for innovation.
“We welcome new and different perspectives. That is why we are here at MIT. We hope to gain more partners as we continue with the business of making sure that Nigeria and Africa succeed,’’ he said.