OPS Commends Lagos Government Over Fulfilled Promises

The Organised Private Sector on Thursday unanimously commended the Lagos State Government for addressing all the issues raised by the Sector at the first Lagos Corporate Assembly held last year, even as Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) gave a commitment that the present administration would continue to meet the needs of the people.

Speakers at the second Lagos Corporate Assembly held at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki, including the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Goodie Ibru, President of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Mr Garuba Gusau, former Industry Minister, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande and former Commissioner, Mrs Eniola Fadayomi all gave kudos to the State Government saying most of the issues raised at the first Assembly have been taken care of.

In his remarks, Mr Goodie Ibru appreciated the State Government for its efforts towards the security of life and property of the citizenry, adding that the State Government has also done a lot in terms of support for medium and small enterprises as requested at the first Lagos Corporate Assembly.

The President of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Mr Garuba Gusau in his comments also said the association has conducted a poll on the new state Traffic Law which reveals that the law has helped to improve traffic situation.

Also speaking, former Minister of Industry, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande congratulated Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for the idea behind the Corporate Assembly interactive session, adding that all the issues raised at the first meeting last year have been addressed.

She also commended the Lagos Traffic Radio for assisting in planning the daily movement of people in the State, adding that on a daily basis she uses the Traffic Radio as her compass for movement.

A former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Lagos State, Mrs Eniola Fadayomi, who also spoke, gave kudos to the Lagos State Government for the environmental changes that the State has undergone.

She also criticized the Federal Government for abandoning all federally owned structures in the State, calling for the immediate handover of such properties to Lagos State for proper maintenance.

Responding, after the interactive session with the various segments represented at the Assembly, Governor Fashola said it is mutually beneficial that all the agreed points raised at the first meeting have been complied with by the State Government.

According to Governor Fashola, “As a Government we mean whatever we say and we will also do everything we say and ensure that we do whatever we set out to do”.

Governor Fashola explained that hosting the second Lagos Corporate Assembly meeting at the Lekki Free Trade Zone was informed by the avowed commitment of the present government to let the OPS get a feel of what the zone is like and make informed decisions on whether or not the government got it right.

He said the emergence of China as an industrial giant did not happen by chance and would not have been possible but for the conscious effort of promoting free trade zones in China.

The Governor described the Lekki Free Trade Zone as an industrial complex to which the Federal Government of Nigeria has made some commitments, explaining that the presence of men of the Customs and Excise at the One Stop Administrative Centre of the Zone was indicative of that commitment.

He said there are other economic and industrial estates such as the 100 hectares Igbonla Estate and the 22 hectares Imota Estate which ordinarily are businesses that should be run by the private sector.

Governor Fashola added that there are also plans to build an International Airport within the zone for which bids have already been shortlisted while government is expecting private sector investor to invest in the building of the airport project.

The Governor stated that the location and population of Nigeria are major assets which the country is not making use of, adding that people and countries that do not have what the nation has are beating her to the game.

“There is a master plan here. It is a zone that has been planned to the detail. So there would be no sudden changes of plan such that if anything will alter, it will be in a town hall meeting like this and every stakeholder will be there to have a say. We want you to have a say and control in how this develops”, he explained.

He told the audience that the State Government is focusing on four key sectors namely Power, Agriculture, Transportation and Housing (PATH) as the quickest way to make the desired impact.

The Governor stated that the Lekki Free Trade Zone sits on a Peninsular and as such haulage by the lagoon should be considered adding that by the end of the year the State will commence possibility of water transportation.

Speaking on other plans for the Zone, the Governor said the State also intends to ensure fibre lane perimeter connectivity round Lagos in order to take broadband connectivity round.

In terms of gas processing, he said the state is talking to the Federal Government on areas of collaboration, adding that in terms of power supply to the Zone, efforts are on going to ensure that it comes to the zone.

On possibility of the State Government assisting the Small Medium Enterprises (SME) in the process of raising loans, the Governor said the state does not own the banks and urged the SMEs to undertake steps that would enable them access loans such as providing collateral in prescribed form that is verifiable.

“The only way out is for the SMEs to keep records of their business dealings which will make the process of access of facilities from banks less cumbersome”, the Governor said adding that the business model that Nigerians have always chosen have impoverish them.

On suggestions for the building of a Permanent Trade Fair site, the Governor said there is land in the zone on which a Trade Fair could be built in collaboration with the private sector.

On the contention by the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) that the Lagos Traffic law is partly responsible for the dwindling fortune of a particular Furniture company, the Governor said the issues facing the company’s operation predates the enactment of the Traffic law.

He stated that the company had issues with the regulatory authorities about its business operation and wondered how the banning of motorcycles with less than 200cc engine capacity could incapacitate a furniture company.

On claims that the decision to restrict movement of haulage vehicles to later part of the day has resulted in extra expenses to the companies, the Governor said often times most business models are faulty citing the example of Apapa where some property owners have abandoned their buildings and businesses because articulated vehicles have either made it impossible for them to get to their businesses or access their homes.

He said no responsible Government would fold its arms and allow one class of citizens suffer because another set of citizens want to remain and make profit in business

The Governor said the Lagos Traffic law was not targeted at anyone but about safety, adding that since its enactment, data has shown that from 664 accidents recorded in January, the number has dropped to less than 100 just as the crime rate has also dropped.

On the Mile 12 Ikorodu road expansion, the Governor said the project is about making better order out of existing order, stressing that government believes that if the road is expanded with an additional dedicated lane for the BRT and the Lagos Ibadan Expressway is also restored to good shape, the Mile 12-Ikorodu road will move more people and last longer.

The Governor also issued a warning to all owners of properties that are above 30 years old and have not developed them saying the State will issue notices to such people to develop their plots, failing which government will take them over in the overriding public interest.

On the complaints by one of the investing organisations that it has not been able to commence work on its site in the Zone due to the action of the host community, the Governor gave a commitment that following the meeting he had with the traditional leaders of the communities on Thursday they have given a commitment that the companies would not be disturbed anymore.

On complaints that Omo Oniles are disturbing the activities of people during construction processes, the Governor said one way of tackling the issue which the government is pursuing is criminalizing the activities of land grabbers through a bill before the State House of Assembly.

On the Lekki- Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Governor said work has been substantially completed on the project adding that it would be opened to traffic in the next few weeks.

On pleas for the fast tracking of the process of issuance of electronic Certificate of Occupancy, the Governor said work is progressing steadily on the project and gave a commitment that the process of issuance would commence this year.

Earlier, The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Wale Raji had given a progress report during which he stated that since the last Corporate Assembly, the State Government had commenced development of the Agro Industrial Parks at Imota Ikorodu and Ilara –Igbonla.

Other issues already tackled by the state government are the development of an enterprise zone and provision of power at the industrial estates with the Isolo Industrial estate enjoying between 12 and 18 hours electricity daily.

He added that the complaints on the payment of Wharf landing charges have also been streamlined such that it is now paid through designated banks in addition to issues of multiplicity of states and Local Government levies and high cost of LASAA charges which have now been addressed.

Earlier in her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Olusola Oworu said the second Lagos Corporate Assembly was a platform to understand the direction of business in Lagos.

The Second Lagos Corporate Assembly was attended by dignitaries including members of the State Executive Council, Chairman of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Otunba Segun Jawando, members of the Organised Private Sector including Director General of National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA) Dr John Isemede, former President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI) Chief John Odeyemi, Chief Sola Oshunkeye and Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority, Mr. Gbenga Kuye among several others.