Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated his administration’s determination to continue to support the construction industry by planning, coordinating and facilitating strategic investment in infrastructure that will produce the foundation for the long-term growth of the State.

The Governor stated this during the official opening ceremony of the ‘Big 5 Construct Nigeria’ at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, adding that Lagos State was very fortunate to be hosting such an array of experts knowing the critical role that construction and provision of infrastructure play in achieving sustainable socio-economic development, especially in a fast-growing and highly competitive global economy such as Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event by the Special Adviser on Works and infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye declared that the State has a target to generate a strong economic base for the productivity of the people with its attendant impact on employment and innovation and a target to make Lagos the preferred investment destination in Africa.

In his words: “The Big 5 Construct Nigeria is West Africans’ largest event which has continued to attract more participants every year. This annual event has brought together buyers, suppliers, influencers, decision-makers and innovators, experts and educators from Nigeria and beyond. This year’s event parades investors from all works of life and countries such as Kuwait, Turkey, Dubai, China and Saudi Arabia among others”.

While acknowledging the opportunity and benefits that the event presents, he maintained that without adequate and quality infrastructure, it will be impossible to create jobs at the rate required to engage the growing population of the youths.

While commending conveners of “The Big 5 Construct Nigeria” for sustaining the annual exhibition, the Governor averred that it has always been an event to look forward to, being an excellent platform to network with professionals, visitors, exhibitors and construction industry experts as well as to better understand the construction opportunities in Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, Builder Adeniyi Andrew Abiona (MCIOB, FMP), Project Coordinator, Southwest Zone Projects, Royal Builders Limited, emphasized the importance of Quality Control and ISO standardization in the built sector, enjoining participants to be conscious of delivering building infrastructure in terms of quality.