Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday, hailed the Canadian government for donating a bio-safety laboratory estimated at $3.25 million (about N951.3million) to the state government.
The governor said the gesture deserved commendation.
Ambode spoke at Epe when he hosted the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr Christopher Thornley.
The governor also praised the Canadian government for partnering the state government in capacity building, especially after the historic victory against Ebola outbreak in the state in 2014.
He said: “On behalf of the people of Lagos State, we like to say a big thank you to the Canadian government for being a very good partner to the cause of the state. People might not know, but we need to say this clearly. Even though we came out of the Ebola crisis, ever since that success story, the Canadian government has partnered Lagos State to donate to us a new laboratory that deals with bio-safety and issues that relate to bio-healthcare.
“…In another few weeks, the Canadian government will be shipping in some equipment for the laboratory at the cost of over 3.25 million Canadian dollars.
“That laboratory will be situated at the General Hospital on the Mainland. It is part of the capacity-building that the Canadian government is implementing to partner with us. We are very appreciative of this.”
Thornley, who was accompanied by the Deputy High Commissioner in charge of Canadian Embassy in Lagos, Mr James Chrisoff, said the visit was to strengthen the relationship between the Canadian government and Lagos State, especially to dialogue on a working relationship in key areas.
He hailed Ambode for the infrastructure his administration had put in place at Epe and other parts of the state.
