Governor Babatunde Fashola


By Goddy Egene

The Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has moved the 2012  Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) to Tafawa Balewa Square, (TBS), Lagos Island,  from its traditional trade fair complex  ground along Badagry expressway.

The LITF, which is reputed to be the biggest and the best organised trade fair in Nigeria and West Africa, has been on for 26 consecutive years. However, this year’s edition would hold at TBS from November 2 to November 11.

Speaking on the fair during a courtesy visit to THISDAY corporate headquarters in Apapa, Lagos last Thursday,   Vice-President and Chairman, Trade Promotion Board of LCCI, Mr. Babatunde Ruwase, said the change in venue was informed by the need to service exhibitors and visitors better given their experience last year.

According to him, the two major road construction and rehabilitation projects on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway and the Lagos-Badagry expressway created some traffic challenges  for exhibitors and visitors last year.

“Since the construction projects are still going on, we decided to move to a new venue. The TBS and the adjourning Cricket Pitch have over 40,000 square metres of exhibition space, which is more than enough for the organisation of LITF. The highest space utilisation of fair in the last five years had been 35,000 square metres,” Ruwase said.

He said the theme of this year’s fair is: “Promoting Trade for sustainable Economic Transformation,” which, he noted,  was  a manifestation of the LCCI’s commitment to the development of both local and international trade towards the realisation of the quest for a major and speedy transformation of the Nigerian economy.

He said the response by prospective exhibitors had been encouraging with signal that the level of patronage would be higher than last year’s.

Ruwase disclosed that some foreign exhibitors  who had not been participating were already being excited by the TBS venue.
He assured that adequate security would be guaranteed  as the organisers were collaborating with the Nigeria Police in addition to the engagement of a private security consultant to oversee and coordinate all security activities.

“There will be 24-hour monitoring of activities at the fair arena with the state-of-the-art CCTV recordings. LCCI is with various public sector organisations in various key services and amenities areas to improve exhibitors and visitors’ services,” he said.