By Tayo Joseph, Lagos
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has joined respected world leaders to advocate for the development of cities that integrate environmental integrity, economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy, saying that is what the International Green Model City Initiative aims to accomplish.
Speaking on Tuesday alongside other World Leaders in New York during a special conference to mark the 2017 World Cities Day organised by the Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements, Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government makes commitment to progressively provide infrastructure and social services that will enhance the living standards of the Rivers people.
Governor Wike was among 12 leaders from different continents of the world who made commitments and pronouncements to symbolically sustain cities across the world.
He said: “As clearly captured by the speakers, the basic concept of the initiative is to create a city that is designed with the consideration of environmental impact. The objective is to resolve the problems of global warming, resource and energy constraints and other social problems associated with rapid urbanization and population growth.
“The United Nations projects that over half of the world’s population now lives in cities and urban settlements, and this figure will increase to about 70% by 2050. Evidently, rapid urbanization is responsible for most of the environmental and social problems in most parts of the world. “.
The governor added that: “It is a very laudable initiative and it is the way to go, especially for us in Africa and other parts where the associated problems of rapid population growth, sprawling urban development and unsustainable exploitation of resources are impacting negatively on the environment, sustainable use of resources and the quality of life of the people.”
He commended the Global Forum for Human Settlements for the session and thanked the speakers for their very incisive and thought-provoking presentations.
According to him: ” What is left is to intensify the campaign for a successful global buy-in of this initiative in city development planning and implementation across the globe.”
Governor Wike was on Monday night honoured with the “Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award “.
A video footage explaining the premise upon which Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike received the award lauded him for reducing urban slums and bridging poverty gaps . The footage further praised the Rivers State Governor for his positive leadership, provision of infrastructure and basic amenities.
Secretary of Global Forum on Human Settlements and Main Representative to the United Nations, Mr Lu Haifeng urged leaders across the world to step up investments in the development of sustainable cities.
