DG Lagos International Trade Fair Hails Tinubus’ Foreign Investment Drive

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer Lagos International Trade Fair, Barrister Veronica Ndanusa has commended President Bola Tinubu for embarking on some foreign trips to seek for foreign investments in Nigeria.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after She appeared at the just concluded joint Senate Committees on Finance in Abuja, Barrister Ndanusa said President Tinubu’s trip abroad to seek investment will create more jobs for Nigerians and reduce the syndrome of youths travelling abroad to seek menial jobs.

President Tinubu recently visited some countries like India, United Arab Emirates and the United States to encourage foreigners to come and invest in Nigeria.

This development the DG said will make the country’s economy grow positively.

“President Tinubu’s trips abroad is good for Nigeria. He met with foreign investors and business people to come and invest in our economy. More companies will be established and more jobs would be created. We at the Lagos International Trade Fair will benefit a lot. We are the biggest international market in West Africa. We have many people coming from Africa and other part of the world everyday” She said.

On the recent demolition of some structures in the Complex by the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Ndanusa says it’s mere misunderstanding between the management of the Complex and the Ministry.

It would be recalled that there was chaos at the Complex when the State’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, led by the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry Dr. Oluyinka Olumide carried out some demolition exercise in some part of the complex.

Dr. Olumide said the demolition exercise was justified to stop further development of buildings without official approval from the Ministry.

The demolition exercise did not go down well with the management board of the Complex, especially the shop owners and traders.

During the demolition exercise, Barrister Ndanusa was quoted in some media of accusing officials of the Lagos State Government of harassment and assault which the Ministry had denied.

Giving further clarification, the DG said the issue was just of misunderstanding  of the operation of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex especially the way and manner the Ministry carried out their exercise without informing the management of the Complex.

“I think it’s just a matter of misunderstanding of the operation of the Lagos International Trade Fair. The Commissioner of Planning of Lagos State just came in there, but our problem with  them was the way an manner they came to carried the exercise. The management board was not informed, there was no notice, not to the occupants of the shops who are tenants, that is why we felt it was wrong, even at that we were teargas, myself and my management team from where we were standing, expecting the Commissioner to come and talk from the car, next thing was to tear gas us” She said.

Veronica said the matter is being resolved amicably as both sides are working for the success of the present administration.

“I want to believe that we would resolve the issue amicably since this is the same Federal and State governments, we are one, we are all working towards the success of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I didn’t think anybody will want to sabotage the effort of the President” She said.

It would be recalled that Dr. Olumide said earlier that the Trade Fair Complex has a record of not complying with building regulations.

He said the enforcement exercise of the Ministry does not single out the Trade Fair Complex, but it is a routine and cautionary move to ensure that people across the State build right in the interest of all.

Dr. Olumide further pointed out that the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development is empowered by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 as amended to control the development of physical structures within the State, issue planning permits and enforce compliance.

He said the Ministry’s role is sacrosanct for a livable, organised and sustainable environment as well as the overall well-being and wellness of Lagosians.

The Lagos International Trade Fair is the largest international exhibition in West Africa.

The Trade Fair is the premier International Trade Fair in Nigeria with the spectacular 10-day event usually starting on the first Friday of November, annually.

Olusola Akintonde