The Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the state, led by his government, is ready to support any environmentally friendly technology solutions.
The governor made the statement at the launch of PAC Foundation, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of PanAfrican Capital Holdings Limited, PAC Holdings, during the company’s 2019 Green Finance and Environment Forum themed, “The Earth, Our Business and the Future.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Hamzat, while speaking at the event, commended PAC Holdings for looking beyond their primary interests as private business investors.
“It is a momentous opportunity for us to share ideas and proffer solutions to the menace of environmental degradation and denudation that is largely driven by our consumerist tendencies. The challenges we face today is about developing new business models that are environmentally friendly; yet profitable.
“It calls for an appraisal of the production chain and process, identifying those aspects that are harmful to the environment, and developing appropriate innovative technological solutions that can effectively address these challenges towards achieving our environmental goal of sustaining the earth while also ensuring that the vulnerable population are spared the agonies and pains of global warming.”
Continuing, he said as a responsive government, his administration is willing and prepared to support businesses ready to harness environmentally friendly technological solutions.
“In addition, we will give the required financial support to young businesses showing willingness to key into this new model as well as some technological innovators creating new solutions to making businesses profitable and environmentally friendly,” Hamzat said.
Meanwhile, the Pan-African Capital Holdings (PAC Holdings) has taken the front burner on the campaign for green finance to ensure sustainable environmental projects.
According to the company, in recent times, global climate has been stressed more than ever before and essentially calls for immediate changes from all; starting from the way we run our communities, businesses and individual lives.
Speaking at the PAC Holdings 2019 Green Finance and Environment Forum themed “The Earth, Our Business and the Future” organized by the company in Lagos, the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Dolapo Atekoja, explained that fundamental to driving this change, are the choices made in the allocation of financial resources.
“As you may know, Green finance is aimed at increasing the level of financial flows (from banking, insurance and investments) from the public, private and not-for- profit sectors to sustainable environment projects.
“As a company, we are strongly convinced that issues of climate change and environmental sustainability should be on the front burner. That is why we have always been a leading voice, both internationally and locally in promoting this very subject; so we are particularly glad that you are here to lend your voice today because the issues of enhancing the environment is one of collaboration rather than isolation.”
On his own part, the Chief Executive Officer, Chris Oshiafi whilst fielding questions from journalists explained that, the objectives of the forum is to emphasize the need to consider both financial gains and environmental benefits in the chase to take up opportunities.
It is also to share ideas on innovative ways to preserve the environment, encourage more private investments towards climate preservation, and highlight opportunity areas for more public/private collaboration.
“We think that as part of responsibility to where we do business, we should all work towards protecting the earth, protecting our businesses and people who live in the environment.
“So, we thought this will become a dialogue on the how important protection of the earth is and how important climate change and how seriously we should take the issue of climate change to deal with potential dangers ahead of us.”