Determined to ensure effective coordination of energy resources that will keep the Lagos economy on the path of growth, the state Electricity Board (LSEB) held a two-day strategic retreat for its staff members.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Olalere Odusote said at the event that the capacity-building retreat is required to position the state towards attracting private sector collaboration and investment in the energy sector.
“The Lagos State Electricity Policy, which is designed to provide a cleaner, reliable, affordable and uninterrupted power supply to residents, requires proper coordination for its implementation”, he said.
According to him, the framework articulated constitutional, legal, engineering and commercial foundations for creating a viable sub-national electricity system that would cater for the energy needs of the state.
He said the new approach to energy security that the state government is facilitating identifies with the global response of ensuring that all human beings, including future generations are entitled to benefit from modern energy services, and be protected from their negative side effects.
In her intervention, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ms. Shola Shasore acknowledged the relevance of building the competence of the workforce for effective service delivery.
She stated that the attainment of the government’s vision on energy generation and distribution hinged on building competence in the workforce to drive the implementation with proper monitoring and evaluation.
Earlier in his welcome address, LSEB General Manager, Engr. Mukhtaar Tijani said the retreat was designed at fashioning a new paradigm of delivering efficient energy services to the teeming public and exploring opportunities for future gains.
He said the theme of the retreat: “Guaranteeing Security of Lagos through Sustainable Energy whilst Managing Talents in Disruptive Times and Leveraging Corporate Transformation”, captured major targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.
While acknowledging that the economy of Lagos, as the commercial hub of Nigeria, makes it pertinent to restructure the traditional energy security calculus, Tijani said that implementing the comprehensive energy blueprint would support the state’s quest towards becoming a 21st Century economy.
“With the emerging global era of disruption characterised by artificial intelligence, robotic and automation, every government is forced with multiple challenges, restructuring and exercising strategic talent management”, he said.
Tijani pointed out that the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, which is the premise of delivering equitable socio-economic dividends across the state, requires the formulation and implementation of policies and actions on energy to support changes in technology and social demands.
T.H.E.M.E.S, the developmental agenda for Greater Lagos, represents the six-pillar development plan of the Sanwo-Olu administration. It stands for Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy; Entertainment and Tourism; and Security and Governance.
Discussions at the retreat were focused on The Lagos Energy Policy; The Lagos Resilience Strategy; Building Highly Motivated and Performance Driven Team; Entrenching Public Service Rules in Parastatals, and Enhancing Social Dialogue to ensure Sustainable Culture for Safety and Health in Workplace.
The dignitaries at the retreat included Permanent Secretary, Parastatals Monitoring Office, Dr Aina Olugbemiga Ayoola; Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mrs Oyegbola Olasunkanmi Mopelola; Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development; Pharm. (Dr) Oke-Osanyintolu Zaineb; and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Establishments Training and Pensions, Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa.
Also in attendance was the Lagos State, Chief Resilience Officer, Mrs. Folayinka Dania.
