The stage is set for the maiden edition of Apapa Economic Summit which holds at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos and which kicks-off on Tuesday, November 21 and ends on Wednesday, November 22
According to the Chairman of the local government, the move is designed to find a lasting solution to the incessant gridlock that has culminated in the relocation of companies from Apapa and made life unbearable for residents.
Organized by the Apapa Local Government Area in conjunction with Apapa Development Initiative, the summit is tagged: Harnessing Opportunities for Economic Development and Sustainable Traffic Solutions.
‘Among others it is expected to be a gathering of stakeholders from both government and private sectors in conversations on solutions to the traffic menace plaguing Apapa Local Government Area which is caused by bad roads and high volume of trucks that ply the roads at the wharf and tankers that load petroleum products at the farm tanks within Apapa,” said Owolabi Elijah Adele, chairman of the local government, who noted that the summit is imperative because of the need to encourage business to stay in Apapa while wooing back those that relocated due to traffic deadlock that has resulted in huge human capital and economic losses.
“Apapa residents and businesses are suffering in the midst of plenty. The local government has lost 70 per cent of its internally generated revenue due to the traffic situation, while also impacting on the health o the residents,” added Adele.
The two-day summit will feature over 20 notable guest speakers including Hadiza Usman, MD, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Council, Olukayode Pitan, MD, Bank of Industry and Taiwo Afolabi, Executive Vice Chairman, Sifax Group, among others.
In his remarks, Mike Egbayelo, CEO, Apapa Development Initiative, noted that the summit will also feature a communique that will be presented to the government and will also serve as a case study especially for research students from University of Lagos and Pan Atlantic University who will be present at the summit.