Experts have said that the growth of the Information and Communications Technology in Lagos State is being threatened by the rise in insecurity in the state.
They said on Friday that the insecurity challenges, such as the Ikorodu killings and kidnapping, were also a threat to its Gross Domestic Product of $136bn.
In April 2017, Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State had described the country’s commercial nerve as the world’s fastest growing mega city, “with a GDP of $136bn.”
Ambode said that the GDP could improve if the state government invested in the ICT, saying, “That is why we are connecting major parks in the state to the Wi-Fi.”
However, a major shareholder in one of the four main telecommunications companies in the country said that the GDP could take a slide downwards if the government failed to improve on security.
“Should vandals continue to destroy our equipment and terrorise Yaba and environs where tech hubs are located, then there is no doubt that this will threaten the growth of Lagos’ GDP of $136bn,” the source said on the condition of anonymity.
While pleading with the state governor to intervene urgently, a technology expert, Akintunde Akinleye, said, “Insecurity is increasing in Lagos at a worrying rate; apart from kidnapping, which is becoming frequent, cult killing is also becoming rampant in some parts of the state.
“While peace does not necessarily drive growth and development, insecurity disrupts it. The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode’s goal of making Lagos Africa’s third largest economy is under threat.”
According to him, Lagos has been able to diversify its economy and largely reduce its dependence on oil allocations from the Federal Government
“The state generates revenue from a variety of sources, including transport, manufacturing, construction and wholesale and retail. To continue growing its economy, Lagos faces challenges such as rapid population growth, urbanisation, as well increasing demands for infrastructure,” Akinleye said.
He also said that the challenges could not be addressed only by widening the tax net, but also by making the state a perfect investment destination.
