Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, met with market leaders from Alaba, Trade Fair axis in Lagos.
The
consultative meeting, which was at the instance of the governor and coordinated
by the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, lasted for about
90 minutes, and it was centered around the State Government’s plans to improve
security and upgrade infrastructure around the markets.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the discussion
was aimed at fostering collaboration with the traders and to carry them along
in the plans of the Government. The governor said he was satisfied with the
conditions under which businesses are being conducted in the markets,
expressing disappointment over the state of roads and absence of relevant
public facilities around markets. In fulfilling his campaign promises to the
traders, Sanwo-Olu said his administration was prepared to change the condition
by investing in infrastructure that would improve the quality of lives and
commercial activities in the area.
He said: “We have just finished an interactive meeting with the leaders of
various markets around Alaba, ASPAMDA, Trade Fair areas in Lagos West
Senatorial District and the discussion was coordinated by our friend in the
banking sector, Fidelity Bank. We all agreed that we all have roles to play to
address infrastructure and other challenges around the markets. As a government,
we are taking up the responsibility to design an all-inclusive model that will
improve the economic wellbeing of people around the markets. Once we put
infrastructure in place, not only would businesses flourish, employment will
also be created.” Aside constructing network of roads surrounding the markets,
the Governor said part of the Government’s long-term plans was also to
complement the efforts with provision of amenities, including fire stations,
clinics, general hospitals and security protections that would aid commercial
activities in the markets.
Sanwo-Olu said the market leaders agreed to work with the Government on
documenting all businesses in their respective jurisdictions, which would
facilitate easy payment and collection of tax for developmental purposes.
The governor said: “we had conversations around being socially responsible. So,
we will see the traders living up to the expectations in terms of doing what
they are meant to be doing to support government in the areas of their taxes,
wages and levies. We also want to eliminate multiple taxations; any agency that
is not meant to be around the market will be stopped.
“We also discussed security issues, and I assured that government would help to
improve on the security of lives and properties in the area and the state in
general. We will address the menace of Okada riders all around those markets.
We will also ensure that the work that is going on around Lagos-Badagry
Expressway is well coordinated, so that they can have some relief at various
periods of the day, even when construction is going on.”
The governor said the meeting would not be the last in his engagement with the
market leaders, pointing out that Chairmen of local councils in which the
traders operate would be invited to subsequent discussions before the start of
regeneration work across the markets within the senatorial district.
Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, hailed Sanwo-Olu for
partnering with the market leaders to drive the regeneration programme, saying
the governor understood the importance of engagement in leadership. According
to him “Fidelity Bank was one of the first banks to open in the area and we
understand their challenges from the extensive engagements we do have with
them. We bank most of them and when there are issues we come together to
interact and find solutions. This is exactly the approach that Governor
Sanwo-Olu is using today. The governor has outlined a course of action and we
also use our knowledge of their needs and working in collaboration with the
government, to come up with a model that will work for all stakeholders. The
traders are ready to take this collaboration to the end and make sure they have
better market conditions so when they want to pay their taxes, they will pay them
happily.”
President General of Alaba Amalgamated, Chief Fabian Ezeojika, said the
discussion with the Governor and his Deputy was fruitful, promising to mobilise
traders to respect the agreement made with the State Government.
Markets and dealers represented at the meeting included Alaba International
Market, Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), BBA Trade
Fair, Alaba Fancy and Furniture Dealers, and Electrical Dealers Association of
Nigeria (EDAN), among others