Lagos gets Economic Advisory Committee

The Lagos State Government has established a 12-member Economic Advisory Committee to advance the economic development and business environment of the State.
The Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, announced this in a statement after the State Executive Council meeting in Ikeja on Wednesday.
According to Bello, the committee is expected to bring independent perspective to economic and business issues, with the primary role of offering advice to the State Government.
He said this was to foster and advance economic and business opportunities and provide effective mechanism for engaging the private sector on matters relating to economic development.
Bello said it was also to provide advice and strategic direction along the lines of the state’s development plan.
He said: “The Economic team is saddled with the responsibility of specifically advising on the overall finance strategy to bridge the massive infrastructure gap in the state.
“It is also to analyse any issue, economic or otherwise, referred to it by the governor and to act as champions for certain initiatives.”
Bello added that it had become imperative for the government to engage the private sector to get independent views on economic and business issues in delivering its mandate to the people.
He said the team would be headed by expert in finance, Dr. Bode Augusto.
Other members of the Committee are: Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, Kenneth Igbokwe, Nimi Akinkugbe, Adenike Ogunlana, Dr. Laolu Mudashiru, Omobola Johnson, Moruf Oseni and Yetunde Akinluyi, who would serve as Secretary.
Bello said the State Government would be represented on the committee by the Commissioners for Finance, Akinyemi Ashade; Energy and Mineral Resources, Olawale Oluwo; and Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Rotimi Ogunleye.
According to Bello, the private sector members of the committee were carefully selected based on their track record of integrity, independence of thought and outlook as well as diverse industry experience.
He said the members would be expected to commit to serve for at least two years, while they would meet regularly and send reports to the State Executive Council.
Bello added that the team would be allowed to invite industry experts to provide support during its deliberations.