Lagos economic summit to kick off Feb 16

The organised private sector has re-affirmed commitment to the deployment of its platform as a channel for setting developmental agenda for Lagos state.

The sector made the pledge ahead of the forthcoming Ehingbeti, the Lagos Economic Summit, holding between February 16 and February 18, 2021.

At a stakeholders’ conference where key private sector operators in Nigeria gathered over Ehingbeti, the organised private sector harped on the need for government to focus on infrastructural development, job creation, waste management and social issues.

Other areas listed for government’s consideration are investment in technology and innovation and security.

“The government should match manpower development with available needs to create room for employment” said Francis Meshioye, chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ikeja branch.

“There are many companies domiciled in Lagos, adding that if the growth of industrialists is eroded, it will affect the economy and gross domestic product of the country at large.

“Lagos needs more industrial clusters to become the desired economic hub, adding that government should create viable links to channel goods from one cluster to another.”

Earlier, Ayoola Olukanni, director-general, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said attention needs to be focused on municipal solid waste.

Olukanni, who expressed support for the summit, said Lagos is still struggling with issues of waste management, which if not tackled could become a disaster.

According to him, there is a national policy on waste management, waste to energy, and wealth, which should be one of the studies at the summit.

With some of the issues for discussion listed, speakers from across the globe are ready to share insights and speak to the issues that will advance socio-economic development of Lagos.

Speakers that will grace the 3-day conference are Helen Grant, UK trade envoy to Nigeria; Jordi Borrut Bel, managing director, Nigerian Breweries; Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Yemi Candide-Johnson, Strachan Partners and other notable private sector leaders.