…Declares First AfricaBuild Lagos Exhibition Open
Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure ,Engr Ganiyu Johnson, has stated that the decision by the state government to improve infrastructure development was a deliberate policy aimed at improving the quality of life the for people economically and socially.
This is just as he added that the state contributes13.32 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) but accountable for 56 per cent of the non oil GDP and provides the dynamic leadership in terms of policy orientation by adopting best practices in pursuit of the developmental objectives .
Ganiyu, who decaled the event opened stated this while speaking at the first Africa Build Lagos exhibition at Landmark Centre in Lagos.
The commissioner added that despite the fact that Lagos is a sub national entity, it remain a hub for social economic activities within the nation and West Africa sub region..
The commissioner, who was represented by the Mrs Ebaide Omokore, posited that despite the potential, there is a basic realisation that there is a huge infrastructure deficit conservatively estimated at $50 billion.
According to him, “Lagos state has pursued a vision of building Africa Model Megacity and global economic and financial hub. Central to this vision is the development of both the policy content and infrastructure backbone that will enable the realisation of the vision .This is encapsulated in the policy thrust adopted to bring the vision alive .Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Economic Growth through Infrastructural Renewal and Development .This has been an approach and attitude towards unleashing the potential of the state”
Speaking further Omokore disclosed that Lagos state government has consistently devoted a substantial percentage of its yearly budgetary resources towards infrastructure renewal and expansion, adding that the state government recognises that its resources alone would not be sufficient to achieve the states of its dreams.
She stated that the actualisation of this dream also requires private sector expertise and project management know- how as well as international experience and exposure that this particular forum is expected to provide.
She further said that the evolution of Built Environment cannot be separated from that of building materials and available technologies, imploring the participants to take advantage of networking that the medium offers as professionals in the industry to access not just the products but also buyers and suppliers.
She charged professionals and professional bodies to see how a forum like Africa Build Lagos could help ameliorate the menace of the collapse building which is traceable to poor quality and inappropriate use of building materials amongst other factors.
On his part, the Head of Delegation and Ambassador European Union in Lagos, Mr Michel Arrion, commended the organiser; Fair Trade for organising the exhibition but lamented that there were challenges preventing investors from EU countries from investing in the country.
He listed the business climate in the country, uncertainty, policy somersault and inability to enforce business rights, adding that be that as it may, EU still invest in the country.
He added that as an Ambassador of EU, he has interest in promoting EU countries businesses, urging EU countries to consider Nigeria as a priority country.
The EU Ambassador acknowledged the falling global oil prices but added that there was the need to diversify and that he was confidence that Nigeria has the capacity to diversify.
Nigeria market, he said is huge, urging investors to use the opportunity of the Africa Build Lagos to explore the potential the market provides.
