Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State
on Thursday said that the Mile 2/Seme Border Expressway would boost
tourism , international trade and commerce among West African
countries when completed in 2019.
Ambode said this at the opening of the
Badagry Economic Summit held at the Administrative Staff College of
Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, Lagos State.
The theme of the summit was,
“Unleashing Investment Opportunities Around Historic and Coastal
Zones of Epe and Badagry.”
The governor, represented by Mr Kehinde
Bamigbetan, the Special Adviser on Community Affairs and Development,
said that the completion of the road would facilitate trade and boost
tourism in and around the ancient city.
“Badagry is a historic city and its
strategic location to other West African countries, makes the city to
be of great importance to the state.
“With the completion of the
Seme/Badagry/Mile 2 Express road, it will help in boosting tourism in
the city and it will complement the soon-to-be-built sea port that
will be established in the city.
“This will also provide half a
million direct and indirect jobs for several youths in Badagry.
“Also, the Marina area of Badagry
will be transformed into a leisure and holiday city, and this will
attract several tourists from all over the world.
“This administration is committed to
developing every part of the state and ensuring that everyone is
carried along and no one is left out,” he said.
The governor said that his
administration would soon connect communities which had not been
connected to the national grid for them to start enjoying
uninterrupted power supply.
“For several decades, communities at
the Seme area of the city have not had any form of electricity,
efforts are now being made to connect them to the national grid.
“Electric poles have been erected, so
the connection will soon be completed. The government is committed in
ensuring that every part of the state gets equal treatment,” he
said.
He commended the organisers of the
event and added that the summit would help in improving the lives of
people in the ancient city.
Earlier, Mr Ashamu Fadipe, the Managing
Director, Badgary Convention and Visitors Agency, said that the
essence of the summit was to put Badagry on the global map.
Fadipe, who is also the Chief Organiser
of the summit, noted that the event would help in tapping into the
full tourism potential of the city.
“We want to ensure that in the next
five years, Badagry will become the next Dubai where everyone in the
world will want to visit on a regular basis.
“It will also help in creating
employment opportunities for the youths as it will create awareness
that will help in that aspect,” he said.
Also, Mr Jacob Kestomahun, the Sole
administrator, Badagry Local Government, noted that the summit would
create awareness on the benefits from investing in Badagry.
Some of the dignitaries that attended
the event include: Dr Deji Femi-Pearse, Chairman, Whispering Palms,
Iworo, Badagry, the Akran of Badagry, De Wholu Aholu Menu-Toyi 1,
Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomu, a former Commissioner for Tourism, Lagos
State, amongst others.
No comments:
Post a Comment