By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS — Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Lagos branch have offered to assist the state government on its ongoing infrastructural renewal projects, especially to adequately monitor as well as inject standard in the implementation of projects.

This came as the state government stressed the need for professional bodies, corporate organisations, groups and individuals to support government’s efforts in the on-going renewal of the environment, particularly on the de-flooding projects in the state.

State Chairman of NSE, Olatunde Jaiyesimi, spoke yesterday, when he led executives of the state branch on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, seeking for working relationship with the state government.

On his part, Bello expressed the state’s readiness to partner with the professional body and reiterated Governor Babatunde Fashola’s call on professional bodies to support the government programmes in the interest of the public.

The commissioner, who commended the group for its initiative said: “Government cannot claim to know it all, though our government, led by our efficient and effective, visionary Governor Babatunde Fashola, has structure in place. The advantage Lagos has over other states is the availability of high quality staff in the environment ministry.

“I want to assure you that the offer will be taken as a challenge and we will explore it because in every challenge there is an opportunity. Lagos is ready to partner with you because every public property belongs to the people, we are all government. It is our tax that government uses to provide every infrastructure, pay salaries and procure this and that.”

This is a wake-up call for other professional bodies to come forward and assist government. We have a long way to go. There is work in progress but most importantly, it is to lay sustainable foundation for the future.”

Earlier, Jaiyesimi, said the body had been studying with keen interest, various laudable projects under execution by the state government to reclaim and transform Lagos into one of model city in Africa and the world in general.

He said: “We are here to explore ways of mutual cooperation in assisting Lagos state government in many ways, especially in achieving the mega city status. One of the ways of partnership could be through robbing of minds in finding solutions.

We can partner and offer professional support on drainage construction, building and other environmental projects. We are ready to assist government if called upon.