Kogi, UNEP Partner On New Lokoja City

The Kogi State Government last Thursday signed an agreement with the UN Habitat and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to redevelop Lokoja into a modern city.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Lokoja, the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr YomiAwoniyi, said that the urban renewal programme would entail structural and urban re-planning of the city.

He decried the chaotic nature of many cities in the country.

Awoniyi remarked that the situation was responsible for dearth of infrastructure and high poverty among the populace.

The deputy governor stated that the agreement was preceded by series of meetings in Kenya and Nigeria.

He expressed hope that the initiative would improve the quality of life of the people.

Awoniyi said that the State Government was overwhelmed by the support from the two world bodies, expressing the government’s determination to ensuring proper implementation of the programme.

The leader of the Kenya-based UN Habitat and UNEP, Prof. OyebanjiOyeyinka, explained that the redevelopment project would be in partnership with governments of the benefiting states.

According to him, 10 cities are to benefit from the project in Africa, with Lokoja and one other city in Nigeria which he did not mention.

The team leader decried what he termed lack of adequate planning in cities across developing countries, urging government to muster the political will to reverse the trend.