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Fashola Calls For Review Of UN Charter On Conflict Resolution

Jan 29, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Thursday called for the review of the United Nations Charter to seek for more humane ways to resolve conflicts around the world.

Governor Fashola, who spoke while receiving the Consular General of the French Embassy in Lagos, Mr. Jean-Luc Bodin declared, “The United Nations could consider the review of the charter to see whether new methods can be developed for conflict resolution. Some of these conflicts can be resolved in more civilized ways”.

The Governor said the issue of conflict resolution has become even more expedient today as the world has become a global village, pointing out that as a result of the closeness, a conflict in one part of the world would definitely affect the other parts either directly or indirectly.

“These are issues that should engage the United Nations as our two world become even closer today more than it was probably sixty years ago. We should begin to develop new methods of resolving conflicts. Why should people kill each other”, the Governor said.

He commended the French Government for its role in promoting peace and conflict resolution around the world, adding that such interventions had served to reduce tension considerably, especially, at the conflict flashpoints across the world.

Expressing his administration’s readiness to do business with the French Government, Governor Fashola declared, “Our position is that we see ourselves as a preferred destination for business and leisure. Our market is attractive, our environment is friendly and our people are hospitable”.

The Governor described the opportunities existing in the State for entrepreneurship as limitless adding, “One of the opportunities that should attract any serious investor is our Free Trade Zone designed for stimulating manufacturing, merchandizing, oil and gas and so on in an environment where goods and services are at much more competitive and cost cutting rate”.

According to him markets for goods and services will continue to grow in the mega-city which Lagos has become and the need for partnership will continue to grow especially in areas of solid waste management, transportation and agriculture among many other areas.

Assuring the French Consular General of the safety of the business interests of French nationals in Lagos, Governor Fashola, who said the priority of his administration was to create conducive and safe business environment for all investors in the State explained that one of such steps was to open a Private Public Partnership office, adding that the Director General of the Office and his team have since assumed duties.

“Again, majority of the members of our Executive Council are from the private sector so we run our government more like one big corporation”, the Governor said, adding that all old processes and procedures of governance were being reviewed with a view to affecting changes or out rightly dumping out-dated ones in order to reduce cost and time of doing business in the State.

Describing the Consular General as being business friendly, Governor Fashola assured him of his administration’s willingness to partner with the French Government in any areas of their business interest adding, “Our doors are open to work with you”

Earlier in his introductory remarks, the Consular General had praised Governor Fashola for what he described as the resounding achievements of his administration, pointing out that in the five months he has been in the State, he has seen tremendous development.

The envoy also commended the Governor for the friendly and conducive environment he has created in the state for business and investment pointing out this has given the confidence that French interests in the State safe.

The envoy described as excellent the existing relationship between Nigeria and France and expressed the hope that such relationship would be deepened between his Government and Lagos State to the benefit of the two countries.

He denied that obtaining a French visa by Nigerians was complicated saying it was a simple process and urged Nigerians with the intention to travel to France for business or for leisure not to be discourage but to go to the consulate and apply for the travel document.

According to him, his responsibilities cover the supervision of French interests in the Southern Axis which according to him includes Lagos, Port Harcourt and part of the Camerouns.