The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has called for more private sector involvement in governance for Lagos to emerge a true mega city in Africa.
Fashola, who spoke while addressing business men and women at the Nigerian-British Chamber of
Commerce (NBCC) Business Roundtable in Lagos on the topic: ‘Public Sector’s Expectation on the Business Community,’ admonished the business community to partner with the government for the good of all.
He said the absence of cooperation with the government could lead to anarchy, adding that it would be very difficult and tasking if everyone has to generate power, build health facilities, construct roads and provide security which are the major responsibilities of the government.
Fashola emphasised the need for the public to connect to the government by paying tax for effective service delivery. He said government agencies now have help lines with which the public can get
through to the government.
Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), in his remark, described Governor Fashola as a pacesetter and exemplary leader with the level of development Lagos
has witnessed during his administration. He urged the coming administration to sustain the development process.
Adefulu also called for more public-private partnership to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizens. He cited Japan and Britain as example of countries that carried the private sector along in the
process of transforming their economies. He said: “We are the natural partners to the government. We in NBCC are ready to partner with the government to further transform the state. We want to sell Lagos and Nigeria to the world.”
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock said the time has come for private and public sectors to work together for economic prosperity of Nigeria. He said government has responsibility to the people, which must be kept to sustain public trust.
-source: thenationonlineng.net
