Lagos, Ogun form Joint Development Commission

Governors of Lagos and Ogun States, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Mr. Dapo Abiodun respectively on Monday sealed a new alliance order that will accelerate the integration of physical and socioeconomic developments of both states with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission.

The MoU signing event, which held at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, marked a new beginning in bilateral relationship between the neighbouring states, as they agreed to work on seven key areas of mutual interests, which are expected to boost security, commerce, urbanisation, infrastructure as well as solve boundary disputes.

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Sanwo-Olu described the two states as Siamese twins connected by geography, commerce and cultural affinities, saying the synergy was to explore common development issues to stimulate growth.

The joint commission according to Sanwo-Olu is a sustainable development agenda under which Lagos and Ogun will combine resources to meet the socio-economic needs of the people and prepare for the future.

After signing the MoU, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that a joint committee would be established to implement the terms of the agreement and formally send Bills to Houses of Assembly in both States to generate statutory support for the establishment of the economic integration commission.

Governor Abiodun of Ogun State in his remarks explained that the MoU was the resolve and deliberate methodical efforts of two ‘forward-thinking’ states, stressing that the initiative would be a success as it was the first time Lagos and Ogun would have a formal, structured framework of bilateral engagement that would be backed by legislation.

Abiodun further mentioned that the MoU took cognizance of the development envisioned by the Professor Akin Mabogunje Committee on Redeployment of Lagos Megacity Region Plan submitted to the Federal Government in 2006.