LASG calls on stakeholders for coordination in Lagos Island CBD
By Moses Adeniyi
The Lagos State Government (LASG) has called on all relevant stakeholders in the Lagos Island Central Business District (CBD) to coordinate their activities appropriately in cooperation with the vision of the State Government to maintain organised CBDs towards the achievements of the Smart City dream.
The appeal was made on Thursday by the Special Adviser to State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, at the ongoing Ministerial Briefing at the State Capital, Ikeja, to commemorate the second year of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Administration in office.
The Special Adviser who reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the State, explained that the activities of the Lagos Central Business Districts are focused on improving the life of Lagosians within the CBDs.
He recalled that the creation of the Central Business Districts by the former Governor emeritus, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in 2017, underscored the veritable business and investment potentials inherent in the CBDs and the need to address the challenges of maintenance of infrastructure within the business districts.
“Since the creation of CBD, the travel time within the Lagos Island Business District has drastically reduced through the removal of unnecessary impediments to free human and vehicular movement, security has been beefed-up as activities of hoodlums and miscreants have been reasonably curtailed and the aesthetic value of the environment has greatly improved,” the Special Adviser asserted.
He disclosed that the office is collaborating with other agencies of government in ensuring proper harmonisation and synergy of all enforcement agencies operating within the Central Business Districts for effective management of the business activities in line with acceptable international standards.
He however sought the cooperation of stakeholders operating within the Lagos Island business district to curb environmental and traffic issues on the Island, noting that CBD is very germane and critical in achieving the T.H.E.M.E.S. Development Agenda of the State Government in the areas of traffic, clean and sustainable environment as well as providing intelligence information gathering to combat crime in the business districts.
While appealling for the return of Corporate Organizations/Companies to the Lagos Island CBD, he called on stakeholders especially different transports unions, market associations and CDAs to obey all traffic, environmental and physical planning laws of the State to reduce the frequent friction between the enforcement team of the Agency.
According to him, the achievements of the office within the last two years in line with the THEMES agenda, centre on transformation of the metropolis, especially in the area of traffic management, removal of series of impediments and obstructions, improved environmental sanitation, drastic reduction in the illegal activities of street traders, non-stop renovation and rebranding.
Others are beautification and reconstruction as well as impactful consultation with stakeholders through series of fora that became the solid platform to share vital information and knowledge.
The Special Adviser revealed that the aim of the present administration is to enshrine the best global standards of business transactions in the State’s Central Business Districts (CBDs) through strategic partnerships with stakeholders.
“The State Government has expended enormous resources and wherewithal on beautification, painting, rebranding, reconstruction and general uplifting of Lagos Island CBD axis to ensure that a serene and conducive environment is in place for businesses to thrive. We, therefore, call on stakeholders to cooperate with the State Government and see CBD as partners in progress,” Oyerinde said.
He said further that in line with the present administration’s drive to regenerate and redevelop the city to a greater Lagos, the Agency embarked on the beautification and reconstruction of water fountains in some major junctions within the Lagos Island Business District as well as the reconstruction and rebranding of Ago Tower in Idumota which has been abandon for long to boost tourism and enhance the aesthetic value of the area.
While noting that iron barriers have been erected on some streets within the Lagos Island Business District to curtail the influx of traders into the walkways and roads which usually obstruct the free flow of traffic in the axis, Oyerinde appealed to traders to display their wares within the confine of their shops and business premises.
He called on visitors, residents and business owners operating within the business districts to obey rules and regulations in order to ensure that the set goals and objectives of the State Government are achieved.
The Special Adviser said further that the agency has already commenced operations in the Ikeja Business District with the deployment of enforcement officers to control traffic at strategic traffic points and consultations with stakeholders within the Ikeja Business District.
“As part of program to introduce and sensitize the Ikeja environs of the commencement of full operation within the Ikeja CBD, the office recently engaged in public enlightenment and sensitisation within the Ikeja CBD and we are already holding series of consultative meeting with stakeholders to make the office operations within the axis seamless” Oyerinde said.
