Lagos Will Leverage Technology to Boost Security, Smart City Initiative, Says Commissioner

Emma Okonji

The Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Hakeem Popoola Fahm has reiterated the state government’s commitment to leverage on technology to drive its smart city initiative, improve security and automate transportation system in the state.

The Commissioner, who gave the reassurance during his ministerial press briefing to commemorate the third anniversary of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, said technology was more of a tool than a need itself and the state government would ride on it as a tool to drive development in the state, especially in the area of security, smart city initiative and transportation.

In the areas of security, smart city initiative and transportation, he said the state would invest in high definition cameras and broadband connectivity, where the cameras would enhance the job of the Police and the Lagos State Transport Management “Authority (LASTMA) for the purpose of monitoring.

The cameras when installed will be able to monitor several activities both day and night. Artificial Intelligence will be deployed to allow us monitor traffic in the state. All of these will boost investors’ confidence to invest in Lagos state. Technology companies like IBM, Microsoft and GE are interested in investing in the state, and as a responsible government, we will create the enabling environment that will attract investors,” Fahm said.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a major instrument that is being used by government to enhance service delivery strategy and to bring about new innovations for the development of the economy. The state government is therefore willing and ready to use ICT in driving deployment in the state for the good of the citizens, Fahm added.

Giving details of the smart city project, he explained that the main objective of the smart city initiative was to connect human capital, social capital and ICT infrastructure in order to address public issues, achieve a sustainable development and increase the quality of life of the citizens. The first phase of the smart city project according to the Commissioner, would seek to address security, transportation and infrastructure, while the second phase would also continue to address security, transportation and connectivity in a sustainable manner.

Reeling out the achievements of the state government through the use of ICT in the last one year, the Commissioner said “Lagos State has been in the vanguard of information technology with the introduction of various portals, applications and infrastructure for e-governence. He listed some of the portals to include: Driver’s Licence Processing and Verification Portal; Educational portal; Private Schools Registration Portal; and Lagos State Online Recruitment and Testing Portal, among others.