LCCI commends entrepreneurs for resilience in harsh operating environment

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has hailed resilient entrepreneurs who have continued to show grit in the face of harsh business climate.

At the Commerce and Industry Awards organised by the chamber, Nike Akande, president, LCCI, said the investment environment might be challenging but had brought the best out of entrepreneurs.

Akande stated the essence of the award was to celebrate enterprises that had excelled in the economy amidst multitude of challenges, stressing that it was exciting that most of these firms were indigenous.

“We recognise that there is no perfect time to make an impact in any system. While the government is fixing the power sector, security challenges, foreign exchange issues, infrastructure issues, institutional bottlenecks, corruption, the private sector must move on,” she said

Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State governor, commended the LCCI for helping to stimulate the growth and investment in the country.

Ambode, who was represented by Idiat Adebule, deputy governor of the state, said he was working towards creating an enabling environment for investors, adding that the establishment of the Lagos Global was an indication that the state governor was desirous of harnessing the investment potential of Lagos.

Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, said the legislators were planning to have a chat with the private sector to see how best to promote the business environment in the state.

Obasa said there was a need for the private sector to cooperate with legislators, revealing that the House of Aseembly was planning to pass a bill that would enable businesses to engage professional lobbyists to push their agenda.

He said the legislature was essential to providing conducive environment for business to thrive, stressing that without reasonable and enduring law with human face coupled with policy regulations subjected to the approval of the parliament, there would not be an enabling and viable investment climate.

ODINAKA ANUDU