One of the most fulfilling feelings in life is to see one’s efforts yield positive results. It gives me immense satisfaction to be here today to witness this Pre-Launching Ceremony of Longrich Nigeria manufacturing plant to be located in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos State, Nigeria.
At the inception of this administration, one of our core focus areas was attracting investments to our State; to create employment for our people and wealth for our investors. Today’s event is one of those crowning moments that confirm that our efforts have been rewarded.
I am particularly delighted that of all the cities and countries in Africa, Longrich Group of Companies has chosen to site its manufacturing plant, a $50 million investment, in our State.
For this trust and confidence shown in our State, I am here personally to thank the Chairman, Mr. Xu Zhiwei, and the management team of Longrich, led by the company’s Vice President, Xu Zhi Lun, for making this wise investment decision. I am also here to assure you of the government’s commitment to supporting your business and ensuring that you succeed in Lagos.
I have been informed that this Lekki Longrich facility, upon completion, would not only be the hub for the distribution of the products to the African sub-region but would provide employment for at least 1,000 new workers in our State and boost the nation’s foreign exchange earnings from exportation of manufactured products to other African Countries.
If we go by the success story of Longrich in China and the company’s track record, there is no doubt that Longrich Nigeria would be modelled after the world-class LONGLIQI Bio-Industrial Park in China which covers an area of more than 133 hectares and serves as location of LONGLIQI Bio-Science Co., Ltd.
Longrich has not only become a global brand but its range of products has steadily been impacting lives, particularly in terms of health, fitness, and qualitative standards of living, as well as changing business patterns in diverse continents.
The company has also created wealth for the over 500,000 people who are trading more than Thirty brands in the Longrich product range through the business referral network in Nigeria. Interestingly, a high concentration of the Longrich traders reside and operate in our State confirming that we not only have a rapidly growing market for continuous consumer products and services but are a haven for foreign direct investments.
On our part, we will continue to ensure we play our role as business enablers. We will continue to work to provide the necessary infrastructure and services required to support all investors and businesses who decide to make Lagos their home.
Our administration has embarked on massive and ambitious projects. We have introduced public sector reforms and policies aimed at making it easier to do business in our State. Our governmental institutions like the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Office of Public Private Partnership and Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global) are, more than ever before, in the fore front of providing an enabling business environment for local and foreign investments to thrive.
These are just a few indicators to assure you of our commitment to securing not just Longrich’s investment in the South-West quadrant of Lekki Free Zone but to secure and attract more investments to our State.
At this point, let me confirm that the Lekki Free Zone is the flagship of the Lagos State Government’s industrial development drive which asides from physical amenities, also comes with a bundle of incentives that propel business prosperity. With the ongoing gas pipeline laying to the Lekki Free Zone nearing completion, I assure you that very soon power generation costs, which accounts for significant production cost, will be significantly reduced.
Distinguished, Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to restate the commitment of the Lagos State Government to sustaining the business environment and protecting all investments in the State, especially those in the Lekki Free Zone.
Once again, on behalf of the good people and Government of Lagos State, I congratulate Longrich International Nigeria on this project and assure you and all investors that your business interests in this State would continue to be profitable as you will find in us a supportive business partner.
Thank you.
Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Lo Je Wa L’ogun