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By Kenneth Jukpor
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has received that the Badagry Deep Seaport is set to receive final approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Sanwo-Olu revealed this during his speech at the 2022 All Markets Conference organized by NDIGBOAMAKA Progressive Markets Association in Lagos, on Thursday, last week.
According to the Lagos State Governor, the land for the Badagry Deep Seaport has already been secured and the establishment of the seaport coupled with the Lekki Deep Seaport will provide better economic and trading opportunities in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu who also unveiled the new corporate logo of NDIGBOAMAKA, revealed that six-lane road connection will be provided to link Lekki Deep Seaport to Shagamu and other locations along Lagos-Ibadan expressway to dissipate the traffic congestion in Lagos.
While commending the traders for their commitment to developing Lagos, he described the enterpreneurial spirit of Ndigbo as strong and worthy of emulation, stressing that leading business schools around the world are studying the trading techniques of Ibos.
His words: “Your contribution to the livelihood of your host communities have been acknowledged and in Lagos, we have created together an economy that has continued to grow and position our nation as the biggest economy in Africa. Trading is a veritable link between producers and consumers, which is the area the Ndigbo traders have tirelessly worked to define the growth trajectory of our dear State. I’m happy that our modest interventions for more growth in this area are visible and being recognised.”
Sanwo-Olu pledged that his administration would continue to protect the business interests of the Igbo people, while promising to make the State habitable for non-indigenes that abide by the laws of the State.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo encouraged NDIGBOAMAKA to work in unison and partner government agencies like Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFFAC) in maintaining order in the society.
Okonkwo encouraged the group to operate strategically like Organized Private Sector (OPS) to lobby Lagos State government and federal legislators to prioritize laws and policies that would transform trading and market environs.
He advised the traders not to vent their anger on Customs and other agencies implementing government policies but take their lobbying in a constructive manner to legislators to alter tarrifs and laws inhibiting their activities.
Okonkwo said the conference offered opportunities to engage policymakers and political administrators in charge of the commerce to lobby for regulatory actions that would further ease business activities.
In his welcome address, the Secretary General of NDIGBOAMAKA Progressive Markets Association, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, said: “Mr. Governor, you have not formally told us whether you are seeking re-election or not, but I want to tell you that all the market leaders seated here today are yearning for a second term for you.”
“Anytime you walk, we will walk with you. I have been directed by all market leaders under the auspices of Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association in all the 58 dealer markets, to tell you that we have endorsed you for second term to show appreciation for your friendly policy and infrastructure projects initiated to help our businesses.”
Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a mark of general acceptance of his administration’s efforts to deliver ‘Greater Lagos’ and strengthen the culture of good governance for which the State is reputed for.
The Governor promised not to take the group’s support for granted, even as he reassured them of the State Government’s collaboration to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
