The President of the Lagos State Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief Nike Akande on Tuesday urged the State House of Assembly to work in collaboration with the Federal Government to address the issue of multiple taxation and traffic congestion in the state to aid the economic development of the state.
Akande, who made the appeal during a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa at Alausa, Ikeja maintained that “Lagos being the home for all, and commercial capital of Nigeria cannot, but show the lead by tackling the menace of multiplicity of taxes, challenges associated with certificate of occupancy, tenancy related issues, waste disposal and traffic congestion among others.”
The woman, who was a two-term minister in Nigeria, pointed out that the state Assembly should also look into the issue of late invitation to the state Chambers of Commerce for public hearing, adding that “an investment friendly legislation and oversight is critical for good governance and the progress of the Lagos economy.
“We believe that this is the time for Lagos State to work with the Federal Government to address the factors that are stifling the investment climate in the State, especially in respect of development of infrastructures,” she said.
While congratulating Hon. Obasa on his emergence as the Speaker, the President noted that there has been a cordial relationship between the executive and legislature, which according to her has been responsible for the stability of democracy in the state.
She stated that LCCI has recorded landmark achievements in the state, saying the organization is ready to collaborate with the state Assembly to create a conducive environment for business.
“I also wish to express my profound gratitude for the co-operation the business community has been getting from the Lagos State House of Assembly in the past.
“The LCCI is reputed for public policy advocacy and it will not relent in its efforts to continue to press for an improvement in the business environment,” Akande said.
In his reaction, Speaker Obasa promised that the state Assembly is poised to sustain the existing cordial relationship between the assembly and the executive, saying “as you rightly observed, we have passed the request of the government for re-ordering and the 2016 Appropriation Law, a very ambitious law that has an intention to expand our infrastructures.”
Obasa added that “we are ready to collaborate with any institution that will assist in improving the economy of the state, we realize the challenges facing our country today, Lagos cannot be isolated from it.”
The Speaker also assured the LCCI that the House would henceforth give them ample notice for public hearing.
