The Lagos State government has revealed its desire to enshrine the best global standards of business transactions in the State’s Central Business Districts (CBDs) through strategic partnerships.
Speaking at the ongoing 2018 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja to commemorate the Third Year in Office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Anofiu Olarenwaju Elegushi declared that impactful consultation with stakeholders has served as catalyst for improved business environment in the State.
He said, “State Government has expended enormous resources and wherewithal on beautification, painting, rebranding, reconstruction and general uplifting of Lagos Island CBD axis to ensure that serene and conducive environment is in place for businesses to thrive”.
Elegushi revealed that the recognition of Lagos Central Business Districts by the International Downtown Association (IDA), as the third best in Africa after Kenya and South Africa, has underscored the veritable business and investment potentials inherent in the CBDs.
“As Lagos State is moving towards achieving a smart city status, we are tapping from the membership of this international body to set international standard of operations for our activities as well as for the business district as it is the primary resource for information regarding current issues affecting downtowns across the country and the world”, he asserted.
The Special Adviser submitted that the electronic business guide (e-guide) project, designed to guide shoppers as to where to make purchases of goods, products or items they desire within Lagos Island CBD has already received the approval of the State Governor as well as the business community and it is expected to generate enormous revenue for the government through advert placements and patronage, adding that the site has received well over 100,000 visitors.
He revealed that the face of Lagos Island business district is changing for good with the coming of the blue rail from Okokomaiko to CMS, the opening of the Lagos DNA Centre as well as the handing over of the formal presidential lodge in Marina amongst others.
According to him, “The travel time within the Lagos Island Business District has drastically reduced through the removal of an unnecessary impediment to free human and vehicular movement, security has been beefed up as activities of hoodlums and miscreants have been reasonably curtailed, enabling the CBD to have the capacity to run a 24-hour business”.
He said in ensuring proper harmonization and synergy of all government enforcement agencies operating within the Central Business District, the State Government took steps to effectively harmonise enforcement operations within CBD through the hosting of periodic engagement of stakeholders in the formal and informal sectors on how best to manage the business districts in line with acceptable international standards.
