Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, said the state is strategically important to the South-West regional economic aspirations.
The governor gave this view while speaking at the commissioning of a new Ekiti State Government’s Liaison Office and Governor’s Lodge built on Oduduwa Crescent in Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The edifice was developed and delivered by Governor Kayode Fayemi administration.
The governor posited that Lagos, as the nation’s hub of commerce and industrial activities, would continue to strengthen partnerships and raise the economic status of states in the South-West region, stressing
that his administration would always be open to collaborations that would spread socio-economic prosperity across the region.
Sanwo-Olu said the location of the Ekiti State’s Liaison Office in Lagos offered a suitable ambience to remotely conduct the business of government and host investors, noting that there were also liaison offices of Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Oyo states, and the proposed secretariat of the Southern Governors’ Forum in the area.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the decision of his colleague governors to open liaison offices in Lagos was an indication of the strength Lagos could bring to bear for shared growth and prosperity, saying collaboration remained the key to development.
“This is an honour and privilege to have my brother governors see the strength Lagos can bring to bear for our shared prosperity. When we all work together, with the understanding that we all have different skills and strengths, we can organically develop every state’s unique strength and address our weaknesses, so that our region and the country can be on the path of growth, development and economic sustainability.
“Ikeja is a capital city and it will continue to be home to all strategic developments. Just as Government Houses are springing from here, new businesses in hospitality and healthcare are coming here. GRA is a short distance from the airports.
“This means people can drive in here and conduct businesses without having to get into other parts of Lagos. Governors can quietly come in and run the business of government from this wonderful territory,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu argued that the influx of public buildings and private businesses into GRA, Ikeja necessitated his administration’s response to ramp up infrastructure within the area, disclosing that the state government would be commissioning network of roads in GRA and other ancillary infrastructure in the coming months.
He hailed Governor Fayemi for deeming it fit to build the lodge, stressing that the development would further drive the growth of Ekiti’s GDP.
Speaking, Governor Fayemi, described Lagos as “key factor” in Ekiti State’s investment strategy, noting that Lagos was not only a key market for Ekiti products but also its window to the outside world.
He said the liaison office edifice, which has conference facilities and accommodation for the governor and aides, would save Ekiti State avoidable expenses in hotel accommodation each time its officials visit Lagos for meetings and official duties, adding that Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA) would use the edifice for expansion of commerce and investment.
“The strategic importance of having this edifice in Lagos is enormous. This liaison office will serve as a go-to place not only for Ekiti indigenes in Lagos, who require official services and information from the Ekiti State government but also to non-Ekiti indigenes desirous of engaging the state.
“It will also serve as a communication and contact Centre of our state with Federal and State Government Offices, Embassies, offices of international organisations here in Lagos as well as private sector players headquartered in Lagos,” the governor stated.
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