Artist’s impression of Lekki Deep Sea Port
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has disclosed that the $1.65 billion Lekki Deep Seaport will be completed in 2019.
The
governor spoke on Thursday at the formal unveiling of the Office of
Overseas Affairs and Investment, otherwise known as Lagos Global in
Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Ambode
said that the efforts put in place so far have ensured that the state
remains the desired business haven, attracting massive Foreign Direct
Investments (FDI) such as the $1.65 billion Lekki Deep Seaport.
He
assured that the seaport would be completed in 2019 and that upon
completion, it would be the deepest seaport in Sub-Saharan Africa,
adding that the Badagry Creek Industrial Park, a $1.3billion investment
meant for completion in 2018 and the $12 billion Dangote Refinery and
Petrochemical Park were among other investments coming to the State.
The
governor reeled out the numerous investment opportunities that abound
in the state to would-be investors in critical sectors such as Power,
Agriculture, Transportation, Health, Tourism, Housing, ICT and
Manufacturing, just as he assured that the state is open more than ever
before for greater business.
Ambode,
who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG,
Tunji Bello, said in anticipation of the increased socio-economic
activities, his administration has resolved to prioritise the
achievement of the four pillars of the Lagos State Development Plan
(2012-2015) which included economic development, infrastructural
development, social development and security, and sustainable
environment.
The
Lagos Global, which is an initiative of the Ambode administration, is a
one-stop shop designed to encourage ease of doing business and help to
turn Lagos into Africa’s model megacity and global economic and
financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive.
The
Governor recalled his inaugural speech on 29 May, 2015, where he stated
the commitment of his administration to make Lagos an investment
destination of choice by creating a favourable environment for local and
Foreign Direct Investment.
“As
the world continues to acknowledge Lagos as a regional financial hub,
we as government have demonstrated the commitment to strengthen this
position through deliberate policies aimed at improving the business
climate in our state.
“In
this regard, we have successfully placed Lagos on investors’ radar by
putting in place effective legal and regulatory frameworks such as the
Land Reform Act, Double Taxation treaties, Limited Liability Reviews and
the development of Free Trade Zones. Likewise, the on-going judicial
reform is aimed at strengthening our laws for the protection of
enterprise.
“Similarly,
the conscious efforts of our administration at public infrastructure
development and maintenance as indicated by an efficient Bus Rapid
Transit(BRT), transporting over 200,000 passengers daily, functional
Integrated Power Projects, enhanced security and access roads to sea and
airports among others, have underscored our determination to make Lagos
a functional megacity,” he said.
Special
Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Professor
Ademola Abass said the office was created by the current administration
to act as one-stop shop with the mandate of promoting foreign investment
into the state and managing export our of the state.
He
said the office also has the mandate to manage foreign investment
transaction and ensure that would-be investors enjoy seamless and
hurdle-free experience by providing first class service delivery to them
right from the point of initial enquiry down to the setting up and
running of businesses in the state thus eliminating difficulties and
bureaucracies often associated with multi-agencies handling of
investments.
Professor
Pat Utomi, economic expert said the creation of Lagos Global was a
major step towards transforming the state to modern city-state just like
the advanced ones in the world.
He
said Lagos economy must therefore be a 24/7 economy, and that the
growth of the state requires significant cooperation from neighbouring
states.
Utomi
said Lagos offers hope for rapid growth of the country in the sense
that it has the capacity to serve as the yard-stick to measure and
encourage development, but that there has to be a concerted effort to
make the state a more attractive idea of a developmental state, and that
there must be a well done plan to round up everything that Lagos
represents in terms of possibilities through a branding process.
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