Mr. AkinwunmiAmbode on Monday said his administration
has commenced the process of developing a
top class International Convention Centre
that would boost trade and investments, just
as he reiterated his unwavering commitment
to ensuring the ease of doing business in the
State.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos
House, Ikeja when he received a delegation
from the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (LCCI) led by the President, Chief
Dr. (Mrs) Nike Akande, disclosed that a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
construct the Convention Centre has already
been signed.
Governor Ambode said the Convention
Centre, which would be constructed in the
Victoria Island area of the State on 30, 000
square meters space, upon completion,
would be of international standard and it
would compete favorably with best
convention and exhibition centres across the
world.
While emphasizing the importance of
organizations such as LCCI in growing the
economy, Governor Ambode commended the
leadership of the organization for partnering
with the State to develop the economy,
especially ensuring businesses and
investments continue to thrive.
He added that the LCCI remained a veritable
instrument to reach out to investors and the
private sector, assuring that his government
would continue to partner with the
organization in the best interest of the
people.
He said: "We will continue to be partners in
progress and I believe strongly in improving
on the ease of doing business and like we
have always tried to reiterate, our
administration is actually built on a tripod.
First is security and we believe that if we are
able to secure the lives and property of our
people, we will create an atmosphere that we
can actually now create job opportunities
that we allow investors to come in and those
local investors too.
"By so doing, we are creating jobs for our
people and in creating that template and that
platform, we believe strongly that our
revenue will grow and in growing the revenue,
we will now use it to provide infrastructure
for our people and that is the platform upon
which this administration is built," Governor
Ambode said.
He also said his administration is
unequivocally committed to give good
governance and accountability to the people,
as well as allow a better platform for the
private sector and businesses to thrive.
Earlier, Akande said her delegation was at
the Lagos House on a courtesy visit to the
Governor as part of activities to further
improve on the relationship which had
always existed between the State Government
and the LCCI.
She commended Governor Ambode for his
numerous achievements just within one year
in office, saying the State was witnessing a
gradual but steady rebranding for better
under the Governor.
Akande, a two-term Minister of the Federal
Republic, alluded to the massive donation of
equipment to security agencies, the
numerous road construction and
rehabilitation across the State, effective
traffic and environmental management, power
sector development, Light Up Lagos Project,
creation of Office of Oversees Affairs and
Investment, N25 billion Employment Trust
Fund (ETF), among other giant strides of the
Governor, saying all the initiatives were
important enablers for the private sector.
"We like to commend your administration for
the tremendous achievements in the last one
year and it is a reflection of the clarity of
vision and focus. It also demonstrates an
exemplary commitment to the ideals of
service. Evidently, governance in Lagos State
has gained momentum in the last one year
despite the downturn in the economy.
"The Governor has not only sustained the
good legacies of his predecessors but he has
created a new development trajectory for
Lagos State. Governor Ambode's disposition
is calm and amiable; his style is effective
and his approach is inclusive, while his
strategy is result-oriented,"
