Lagos GovtStrikes Deal with US Institute to Enhance Project Management Efficiency

The Lagos state government
yesterday sealed a partnership agreement with a United States-based Project
Management Institute (PMI) to set a new benchmark in infrastructure development
and governance.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu supervised a short ceremony
held at the State House in Marina, where the Project Implementation and
Monitoring Unit (PIMU) of the state government inked the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the American partner.

A government statement said that the deal will enhance
quality project management practices across 45 project executing Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.

Lagos is currently handling 1,830 capital projects
across the state, with each project at varying level of efficiency. The deal
would enable the state government optimise its resources and  drive seamless project execution, the
statement added.

Sanwo-Olu earlier received the institute’s Managing
Director for Sub Saharan Africa subsidiary, Mr. George Asamani, who led PMI’s
team to the governor ahead of the MoU signing.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy
Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said the partnership was timely, as the state
reviewed its ongoing projects and considered implementing strategies to reduce
risk and enhance efficiency towards delivery.

Sanwo-Olu said long-term project planning had been
difficult  for many governments in the
contemporary economic order, given the vulnerability to global resources
disruption and high cost of materials.

He said the state had reorganised project implementing
priorities by channelling resources on projects that would improve quality of
life for Lagos residents.

The governor said: “We are at a critical time when
leaders are finding it challenging to implement and activate projects that will
improve the quality of life for their citizens.

“ It is a challenge now, given the global disruption we
have seen over the last few years and its impact on the economic growth. This
is making it difficult to even plan for long-term projects. But decisions have
to be made in this difficult terrain.

“This partnership with PMI comes at the right time to
validate our strategies, help us channel resources to where they are most
needed and ensure that the outcome of our investment are delivered in a timely
manner.

“This will help our project executing MDAs raise efficiency
and further enhance their knowledge on project performance and execution. I
believe the partnership will scale up professional competence and capability in
the way projects are handled in public sector.”

In his remarks, Asamani said the MoU would bring about
cutting edge skills, knowledge sharing and training to help the state deliver
on projects with quality assurance. He added that the institute would be
boosting local expertise and trained managers implement for maximum efficiency.

He said: “Our institute is reputed to providing global
certification that has enable millions of people across the globe to execute
projects with maximum efficiency and quality delivery.

“We are bringing cutting edge skill, education and
training to equip public sector professionals in Lagos deliver on projects with
quality assurance. This MoU will position us as a partner to enhance quality
and delivery capabilities on all projects being undertaken in this State.”

Executive Assistant to the Governor on Project Implementation
and Monitoring Unit, Mr. Olusegun Sanwo-Olu, said PMI would be bringing its
five-decade expertise on board to catalyse efficient management and capacity in
line with the highest standards of excellence in executing projects in Lagos.

He listed benefits of the collaboration with PMI to
include enhancing project management practices to deliver more within budget,
scope and time.

He said: “Today, we reaffirm our dedication to
impactful and sustainable projects. Taking a cue from Mr. Governor, we have
imbibed the outcomes-oriented approach in projects we execute, delivering
positive results to Lagosians through the THEMES+ Agenda. This partnership with
PMI Global is a key step in entrenching project management principles in
governance.

“There will be optimisation of state resources through
the use of project management Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and data to
drive seamless project execution.

“ The collaboration will foster knowledge sharing and
capacity our project community. Hundreds of public sector professionals will be
equipped annually with relevant skills through training and workshops that will
empower Lagos to compete favourably on the global market.”