Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Olusola Sanwo-Olu has assured business community in the State of his administration’s commitment to engage and partner with stakeholders while also implementing investment friendly policies and guarantying security of lives and property.
The Governor gave the assurance on Thursday while speaking at a Breakfast Meeting with the Lagos Business Community held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Alausa-Ikeja.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat who represented the governor said “As a responsive government, we are not resting on our oars and will continue to provide necessary tools and support that would translate into greater opportunities with the overall aim of ensuring sustainable economic and social development of the State.”
He therefore urged the business communities to continue believing in the administration and take advantage of the various policies within the framework of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
While stating that he has no doubt that the business community will not relent in its contributions, so that together they can create and sustain an environment that is safe and secure for business, leisure and living, the Governor promised to continue working with the business community as partners in the development of the economy of the state.
He added that the Administration, at inception, identified the need to aggressively transform the state to the standard of a modern economy and meet the yearning and aspirations of all stakeholders including the business community.
Saying “we developed the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda to serve as a vital document that will guide our action in the areas of policy initiation, development, implementation and evaluation against set KPIs,” Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the administration has commenced the implementation of the agenda as evident in the various ongoing road rehabilitation and construction projects, infrastructure renewal, investment in inter-modal and integrated transportation system among others.
He stated that the state government through its Public Works Corporation, has so far completed the rehabilitation of 138 roads across the state while 131 are ongoing. He added that the ongoing signalization of Roundabouts at 5 locations in the State will improve traffic management significantly.
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. (Dr.) Lola Akande stated that the state government deemed it fit to host the meeting to get the buy-in of the business community as relates to its policies, programmes and plans.
She said the event would also avail government first-hand information on issues and concerns that affect the sector and for the provision of adequate resolution.
While stressing that internal and external policies and infrastructural development have impact on the economic growth pattern of the State, she stated the need for continuous dialogue between the state and business community to would ensure sustainable economic development.
She stated further that the programme is an indication of the state government willingness to collaborate and dialogue in a manner that would drive sustainable development and achieve the plan of making Lagos a 21st Century Economy.
The Commissioner disclosed that as part of efforts to key into the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, the state government through the Ministry is developing a Light Industrial Park at Imota in the Ikorodu Division of the State to facilitate industrial and commercial activities and plans are underway to develop Enterprise Zones in the State to encourage a cluster system and take business away from the street.
In a bid to ensure best practices, quality control and integrity in business transactions, the Commissioner further disclosed that plans are also underway to float the “Better Business Bureau” and a policy on “Made in Lagos goods. According to her, “the Better Business Bureau” is being proposed as a One-Stop Shop for business registration and certification while the policy on “Made in Lagos” would be a means of promoting made in Lagos goods.
Present at the event are representatives of the Lagos State Chambers of Commerce and Industry, (LACCIMA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN); Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; Organized Private Sector and the Business Community.
This post was written by Debo Omilani.
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