Lagos, World Bank partner to provide training in sustainable buildings
The Lagos State Government, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, has teamed up with the World Bank to train built environment professionals in government on the ideals of the novel initiative.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, stated this on Wednesday at the Lagos State-IFC EDGE workshop on Green Building in Lagos.
Salako was quoted in a statement as saying that the Green Building initiative adopted by the Lagos State Government was the right way to go in developing environment-friendly and sustainable buildings to promote greenery and drastically reduce the carbon footprint in the state.
“In clear terms, the Green Building Initiative is aimed at promoting eco-friendly structures, known as Green Buildings, which use less water, optimise energy efficiency, conserve natural resources, generate less wastes and provide healthier spaces for occupants,” Salako said.
According to him, the initiative was geared towards accelerating the ideals of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda and making Lagos a 21st-century economic pillar.
He, therefore urged town planners, architects, builders, and other professionals in government to be standard bearers in the physical environment and take full advantage of the workshop in order to facilitate the design and construction of green buildings in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Abiola Kosegbe, declared that the team of EDGE experts would become green building professionals.
Kosegbe explained that the partnership would provide environmental advantages by reducing utility bills, carbon dioxide emissions and pollution as well as achieving the sustainable development goals.
On his part, Egbike Sunday, an EDGE expert, posited that the role of EDGE experts included being embedded within the certification process, providing design advice to developers and fulfilling compliance requirements among others.