In a bid to support entrepreneurs, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved credit grants for 100 micro and small business owners in the state.
Sanwo-Olu made this known during a meeting with all market leaders in Lagos under the aegis of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria in Lagos on Tuesday.
The governor, who described marketers as “important stakeholders” in the governance of the state, said the visit was part of his wide consultation ahead of the 2023 general election.
The Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, in a statement made on Tuesday, stated that the interaction with traders in the informal sector was strategic in reaching out to the grassroots.
He reassured the market leaders of his administration’s commitment to their well-being and asked for their full cooperation as to their support for the APC in the coming elections.
He said: “Market leaders and their members are important stakeholders in the governance of Lagos. We interact with them from time to time and consult them on issues concerning growth of our markets. Today, we have come here to thank them for the support they have continued to give our Government and to encourage them to continue to be loyal citizens of the state.
“This venue has been a strategic meetinghouse for discussion with market leaders on socio-political issues. It was from this same house that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu left and was sworn in as the Governor of Lagos in 1999. Since then, this edifice has been the spot of convergence for all the market leaders in Lagos. The visit today is to reassure market men and women about our commitment to their well-being and to ensure we have their full cooperation as to their support for the progressives party.”
Sanwo-Olu stated that the state government had hastened up ongoing work to complete all the markets currently being constructed, stressing that the continuation of credit grants to 100 micro and small businesses in each market across the state had empowered many women and low-income households to meet their needs.
The governor further stressed the benefits of good governance reaped by Lagos State in education, transportation, and health, among others, noting that his administration’s programmes were aimed at improving the lives of residents, regardless of their incomes and status.
“We are in the season of politics and we consider it necessary to meet with our people in the market and solicit your support in the forthcoming general election, especially for our presidential candidate, governorship candidate, and other positions our party is vying for.
“This is an important step, you are part of the crop of people that diligently wait at the polling booths to cast votes for our party. We cannot take you for granted, despite having new people in the electoral register. We need to engage and talk to you about our plans. In this case, we are seeking their support for all our candidates in general,” he added.
On their part, the traders raised issues affecting them and advised the Lagos State Government on possible areas of improvement and collaboration.
The Iyaloja-General, Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, assured Sanwo-Olu of market leaders’ support for the APC, pledging to mobilise members of their households and communities to vote for the party in the 2023 general election.
