Sanwo-Olu At Factory Inauguration: Lagos Will Always Support Manufacturing Sector

Eko Hot Blog reports that Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has committed his administration to the full support of the manufacturing sector, saying the move is important to the state’s economy.

He spoke on Friday when he inaugurated a new manufacturing factory in Ikeja for Godrej Nigeria Limited, a consumer goods company with an Indian parent company.

The Lagos governor stated that the state government will continue to pursue actions that would eliminate red tapes and regulatory impediments hindering the growth of businesses.

Sanwo-Olu noted that more projects like the new manufacturing factory will raise Lagos’ sustainable employment levels.

“Manufacturing is the heartbeat of any economy, and as a government that is serious about economic growth and development, supporting partners in this industry is very important to us,” he wrote on social media.

“Today, I inaugurated a new manufacturing factory in Ikeja for Godrej Nigeria Limited, a consumer goods company whose Indian parent company has been in business for over 100 years with over 8000 employees.

“Nigeria and India share similar economic narratives in terms of market size and investment objectives and Godrej’s investment in growing its industrial base in Lagos will reap rewards and open the way to expand its business to other countries in the West African regions.

“As a government we will continue to pursue actions that would eliminate red tapes and regulatory impediments hindering the growth of businesses in the State as we demonstrate our willingness for continued collaboration with the private sector to improve the livelihood of our residents.

“More projects like this mean more smiles in Lagos. Each new investor setting up here means a rise in sustainable employment levels. It’s a win-win—we grow together, our people thrive together.”

Godrej Managing Director, Koyode Oladapo, said the company’s expansion plan was to lead the market and overtake its competitors in a fair race. He said the company, with its 8,900 employee strength, had imprinted its footprint in the country’s consumer market, disclosing that Godrej had doubled its production capacity in the last 10 years to sustain supply.

Oladapo said: “As a company that has been in business for over 130 years, we believe in sustainable investment and growth. We stand on three pillars – people, planet and sustainable growth. Today, we take pride to say we have overtaken many multinationals who have been in the market in the last 70 years. With the new production line, we are looking forward to overtake other competitors.”

The firm’s Global Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sudhir Sitapati, noted that the Nigerian subsidiary of the company remained bigger in production output than many multinational brands in the consumer goods sector.

“I believe our new production line will not only meet the Nigerian demand, also demands from countries within the West Africa region,” he said.

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