Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s President, Toki Mabogunje, has called on stakeholders to focus on dialogue and constructive engagement to rebuild the nation from the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.
The LCCI boss stated this in a statement while reiterating the chamber’s position on the imperative of peace, dialogue and engagement as major ingredients for social and economic stability.
According to her, the effort will enable a conducive environment for investments and the prosperity of businesses.
She said, “The LCCI notes with a deep sense of loss and pain, the loss of lives, property and livelihoods arising from the subsequent regrettable events following the recent peaceful #EndSARS protests.
“We bemoan the unprecedented level of destruction, plundering, arson, looting and vandalism that took place. We empathise with the families of all those who have lost loved ones during and in the aftermath of the protests.
“We share the pain of all investors; micro, small, medium and large, that suffered losses as a result of the arson, looting and destruction of their valuable fixed and moveable assets.
“We share the grave concern of employees who are at the risk of losing their jobs as a result of these deplorable and debilitating incidents. We empathise with the Lagos State government over the wanton destruction of public properties around the state.”
Mabogunje also called for collaborative support from the federal and state governments, in the form of grants, to all victims.
“This has become necessary in view of the current challenging economic conditions that the state is already grappling with.
“The banks to which some of the victims were indebted should demonstrate an uncommon compassion toward them, in respect of their indebtedness.
“We note the setting up of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry in various states and urge all citizens that may have suffered any form of police brutality and injustice to cooperate with them.
“This is to bring about restitution and some form of closure on these very unfortunate incidents,” she explained.
