The leadership of the Africa National Congress (ANC), South Africa’s ruling party, have expressed their appreciation to the Lagos state government for its effort in ensuring that the South African nationals who were involved in the unfortunate incident were successfully repatriated to the country for burial.
ANC Treasurer General, Dr. Zwelini Mkhize who on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode also commended the state government’s stance of the Coroner Verdict on the September 12, 2014 Synagogue building collapse in Lagos.
Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state.
Mkhizie said: “We do appreciate this relationship, we must say that we are very pleased to learn of your decision in terms of the Synagogue disaster in Lagos last year. Certainly while we all appreciate the assistance that you made to ensure that all of the victims were repatriated back to South Africa, we would continue to support whatever work is being done on your side.”
The ANC Treasurer said he visited the state to strengthen bi-lateral trade between South Africa and Nigeria adding that the trade level between both countries was currently on a high and as such the two countries stand to benefit from each other in terms of trade and investments.
Governor Ambode meanwhile praised the visit calling it “a brotherhood meeting”.
He listed the areas of cooperation to include the strengthening of security towards building a safer Lagos which will not only safeguard existing investments in Lagos, will also attract new businesses into the state.
The governor said: “We have established Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, so that we can strengthen bi-lateral relationship. We need more investors to come into Lagos so that we can create employment and grow our GDP. Whatever it is you think we can do to increase investors from South Africa, we are ready to talk. We hope you would also create the same platform for business men from Nigeria who do business in South Africa.”
Ambode said of the ANC: “We have so much to learn from ANC and we have so much to give in terms of the dynamics we (APC) have brought to the political landscape. We believe strongly that we need to do some interparty visitation and relationship”, he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the APC in Lagos, Chief Henry Ajomale said the history of the ANC and its iconic leader, late Nelson Mandela is deep rooted, adding that the two parties can benefit from each other on all fronts.
“Let me respectfully acknowledge our leader late Nelson Mandela. He is a man very respected in Nigeria. Those days during the struggle, some of us carried placards during the struggle to free South Africa.
Governor Ambode has said the state will prosecute the Synagogue Church of All Nation. (SCOAN) alongside it contractors, Engineer Akinbela Fatiregun of Hardrock Engineering Company Limited and Structural Engineer, Oladele Ogundeji.
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said his government will uphold and enforce the sanctity of the law in the state, just as he urged residents of the state to also respect the rule of Law.
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