Synagogue: ANC leaders commend Lagos stance on Coroner’s inquest

South Africa’s ruling  Africa National Congress (ANC) yesterday hailed the stance of the Lagos State government on the Coroner Verdict on the September 12, 2014 Synagogue building collapse in Lagos.

The party particularly expressed appreciation to the state for its assistance to South Africa in the aftermath of the disaster.

Most of the victims of the disaster were South Africans.

The Treasurer General of the party, Dr. Zwelini Mkhize  told Governor Akinwunmi Ambode during a courtesy visit  that the ANC was “very pleased to learn of your decision in terms of the Synagogue disaster.”

“Certainly while we all appreciate the assistance that you made to ensure that all of the victims were repatriated back to South Africa, we would continue to support whatever work is being done on your side”, Mkhize said.

The ANC Treasurer said the crux of the visit was to seek ways to strengthen bi-lateral trade between South Africa and Nigeria.

He said the trade level between both countries was currently on a high, adding that both countries stand to benefit from each other in terms of trade and investments.

Governor Ambode while responding, reiterated his commitment to boosting trade relations with South Africa, describing the visit as “a brotherhood meeting”.

He listed the areas of cooperation to include the strengthening of security towards building a safer Lagos which will not only safeguard existing investments in Lagos, will also attract new businesses into the state.

“We have established Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, so that we can strengthen bi-lateral relationship. We need more investors to come into Lagos so that we can create employment and grow our GDP. Whatever it is you think we can do to increase investors from South Africa, we are ready to talk. We hope you would also create the same platform for business men from Nigeria who do business in South Africa”, he said.

The Governor also promised to commit to the existing relationship between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ANC saying both have common ideology.

“We have so much to learn from ANC and we have so much to give in terms of the dynamics we (APC) have brought to the political landscape. We believe strongly that we need to do some interparty visitation and relationship”, he said.