The Office of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts has expressed its readiness to resume full operations within the Lagos Island Business District, just as it restated its commitment to the improvement of the business environment in all areas designated as business districts across the metropolis.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Olugbenga Olarenwaju Oyerinde, who disclosed this at a meeting with the management and operation officers of the Agency, decried the level of destruction of the Agency’s office on the Lagos Island.

He enjoined the operatives not to be discouraged by the vandalisation perpetrated by hoodlums during the recent #EndSARS protests but rededicate themselves to duty, stressing that despite the temporary setback caused by the destruction, the Office will resume its statutory responsibility of providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the district.

Oyerinde expressed sadness over the destruction of all the Agency’s operational vehicles and power bikes used for patrol duty and also condemned the looting and vandalisation of its stores with many office items and equipment carted away by the hoodlums.

While assuring that the destruction will not deter the Agency from its enforcement operations, he maintained that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing everything possible to return the State to normalcy, open up the economy for business to attract investors and create more employment for the teeming youths in Lagos.

The Special Adviser, therefore, solicited the support of all stakeholders, especially traders, business owners, transport unions, motorists, visitors and residents in the management of the district by operatives of the Agency. He advised those trading on roads, drainage alignments, walkways and pedestrian bridges as well as motorists and commercial drivers loading and offloading on the roads to move to the designated market places and bus garages.

“I am appealing to all our stakeholders to cooperate and join hands with us. We will continue to ensure that the much cherished international standards that characterise the existence of Central Business Districts in developed cities of the world operate in our business districts. We are open to suggestions from our stakeholders and we are ready to push our operatives beyond the limit to ensure fulfilment of our set objectives”.