Lagos shortlisted for 100 resilient cities network

                            

The Rockefeller Foundation on Tuesday expressed optimism that Lagos State might become one of the 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) in the world to qualify for the $1million grant for infrastructural development.

Mr Michael Berkowitz, the President of the Foundation, said this when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in Lagos.

Berkowitz said the 100RC challenge was dedicated to cities around the world that become more resilient to physical, social and economic challenges that were a growing part of the 21st century.

“100RC supports the adoption and incorporation of a view of resilience that includes not just the shocks – earthquakes, fires, floods, etc. – but also the stresses that weaken the fabric of a city on a day-to-day basis.

“Examples of these stresses include high unemployment, an overtaxed or inefficient public transportation system; endemic violence; or chronic food and water shortages.

“By addressing both the shocks and the stresses, a city becomes more able to respond to adverse events, and is overall better able to deliver basic functions in both good times and bad, to all populations,’’ he said.

Berkowitz said that the 100RC Challenge which became open to applicants in 2015 got more than 330 applications from different cities in the world, Lagos inclusive.

He said the foundation was on tour of Lagos to assess its resilient capability and determine it worthiness to be one of the 100RC network.

“With what we have seen and the innovative programmes by the state government, Lagos State stands a chance of being selected into the 100RC network.

“By being a part of the 100RC Network, cities will be able to share best practices, solve problems collectively, learn from each other, and connect with other resilience experts.

“The chosen cities will receive direct funding of $1 million and above, and those costs vary from city to city.

“Through these actions, 100RC aims not only to help individual cities become more resilient, but will facilitate the building of a global practice of resilience among governments, NGOs, the private sector, and individual citizens,’’ he said.

Governor Ambode represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, responding said that the state had exhibited resilience in the face of many physical and socio-economic challenges.

Ambode said that Lagos, as a city/state, had been able to withstand challenges, recover quickly and become stronger.

According to him, Lagos City is qualified to be chosen as one of the 100RC in the world.