Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, met with
market leaders from Alaba, Trade Fair axis in Lagos West senatorial
district. The consultative meeting, which was at the instance of the
Governor and coordinated by the Managing Director 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, Gov. 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 pu satisfied with the conditions under which businesses were
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 Gov. 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