Yomi Durojaye
The Lagos State Government Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture , on Thursday, held Stakeholders Summit to strengthen collaboration, parnertship and unlock the state’s tourism potential for Greater Lagos.
The stakeholders were drawn from both the public and private sectors, including the Lagos State Transportation and Monitoring Authority, Lagos State Waterways Authority, and hospitality and tourism practitioners.
The event, was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC) at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, in her welcome address, said the gathering was evident of the state’s commitment to positioning Lagos as a leading, globally competitive tourism destination.
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| Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka |
According to the commissioner, “Today’s conversations are designed to generate practical insights that will assist in enhancing our infrastructure, safety, strengthening regulatory frameworks, elevating service standards, and improving promotional strategies.
“These insights are critical as Lagos continues to attract growing local and international interest. We must ensure that our systems are efficient, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of a dynamic global tourism industry.”
The continued positioning of Lagos as a top destination for leisure, business and cultural experience is a collective effort, and your roles are indispensable,” she said.
She urged participants to see their roles as part of a long-term strategic plan, not just for the December festivities.
In his presentation, the General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki assured that his agency would deploy over 2,000 officers on Lagos road to take care of major routes on the Island, Lekki-Epe, Victoria Island and Ajah.
“I am giving the assurance that those who are coming from the diaspora have seamless mobility during the December period,” he said.
Panelists took turns to dissect issues around traffic management, waterfront and beach tourism, hospitality and the business of tourism in Lagos among others and they all agreed that concerted effort must be made to synergise operations during the December period in order to optimally unlock the potentials and opportunities therein.
In another presentation, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Mr Lanre Mojola, said the agency’s mandate to regulate hospitality and entertainment facilities extended far beyond the festive season.
He said the commission’s role was to oversee and enforce safety standards for recreational spaces, including hotels, bars, lounges, beach resorts and event centres.
He said LSSC ensured safety in the facilities through inspections, emergency preparedness checks and compliance certification.
Highlighting the commission’s Four Es of Safety, which are: Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Evaluation, Mojola said LSSC was intensifying facility registration, audits and event permit requirements.
“All hospitality establishments operating in Lagos State –such as hotels, restaurants, bars, lounges, nightclubs, shortlets, beach resorts, event centres and other recreational facilities – are required to register with LSSC,” he said
Other agencies including the Lagos Ferry Service, LAGFERRY, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, (LASEPA), Lagos State Waterways Authority, (LASWA) among others called for compliance at all levels to achieve the state’s vision for a seamless and memorable December
