Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has reiterated the need for increased investment in the non-oil sector as a veritable means through which the country can speedily get out of its present harsh economic situation.
Speaking at the 2016 Lagos International Trade Fair Investment Conference held at Eko Hotel Suites, Victoria Island, with the theme ‘Positioning the Nigerian Economy for Diversification and Sustainable Growth’, Ambode said there is the need for the organized private sector to rise to the economic challenge facing the country by implementing policy framework that would aid the realization of the diversification strategies being initiated by the federal government.
“The harsh economic conditions being experienced today are as a direct consequence of the steps not taken and decisions not made in the past but today, we have the opportunity to set a tone for our future economic resurgence through diversification and development of the non-oil based revenue generating potentials available to us,” he said.
Governor Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, maintained that the opportunities available to the country for economic benefits in the agriculture sector with a value chain that would impact positively in job creation and empowerment opportunities for the unemployed are not being explored maximally.
He called for a cursory attention on other lucrative sectors with unharnessed opportunities ranging from potentials in the ‘green’ energy for sustainable environment, information, communication, technology and tourism among several other sectors.
Ambode, therefore urged participants at the event to examine other critical and crucial strategies that would aid the development and growth of the nation’s economy with zero reliance on crude oil proceeds.
