The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured the leadership of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry that his administration will fast-track the approval for the Certificate of Occupancy of the land allocated to the organisation for the construction of trade fair and exhibition centre.
The governor, who was represented by the state Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, at the celebration of Lagos State Day/closing ceremony of the annual Lagos International Trade Fair held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, on Sunday, said his administration was committed to improving the business environment towards making it more attractive for investment.
“With the T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda, now rechristened T.H.E.M.E.S.+ Agenda, our administration rose to the occasion as we confronted the challenges of infrastructure and others frontally because we understand how important they are to achieving the major responsibility of government, which is facilitating friendly environment for living and ease of doing businesses.
“We shall continue to place a high priority on the provision of key infrastructure that would make our state safer, more secure, functional and productive as an impetus towards achieving sustainable economic growth, leveraging a highly motivated and vibrant private-sector participation,” he added.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said Lagos State, the economic nerve centre of Nigeria, currently contributes approximately 25 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
The commissioner also noted that the non-oil sector of the state has grown by eight per cent in the past year.
“Over the past year, we have seen an impressive eight per cent growth in our non-oil sector, a testament to the resilience and innovation of our industrious business community. Many of our Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are growing, accounting for about 80 per cent of the state’s employment, which underscores their pivotal role in job creation and economic development,” she noted.