The Association of Progressive Traders (APT) has stepped up security at the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, with the deployment of round-the-clock CCTV surveillance and security personnel, in addition to collaboration with the police, civil defence and State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

The measures were unveiled during the commissioning of a new secretariat, medical clinic, emergency ambulance and upgraded multi-storey shop blocks at the complex.

The association’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chief Chuka Christian Mekauwulu, said the enhanced security architecture was designed to protect traders, customers, workers and the association’s growing investments.

He said the complex had recorded what he described as a zero-crime record over the past seven years, adding that the latest investment was intended to sustain the security situation while strengthening the ability of the association to respond to incidents.

“Security is the bedrock of any thriving commercial centre,” Mekauwulu said. “To safeguard these new investments, we have deployed 24-hour high-definition CCTV coverage with audio-video recording capabilities, backed by a dedicated monitoring team and round-the-clock security personnel working alongside the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence and SCID officers.”

The security measures, he said, would provide continuous monitoring of activities across the complex while improving incident detection and response.

The emergency ambulance commissioned alongside the other facilities is also expected to strengthen the complex’s response to medical emergencies, particularly given the large number of traders, workers and customers who use the facility daily.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Chief Mrs Veronica Ndanusa, commended the APT leadership for investing in infrastructure aimed at making the commercial hub safer and more functional.

Ndanusa said the new facilities, particularly the health centre and upgraded shop blocks, complemented efforts to improve the operating environment for businesses within the complex.

APT President, Chief Eric Ifeanyichukwu-Ilechukwu, said the projects were conceived not only to improve commerce but also to address the welfare and safety needs of members.

“Health is wealth. As traders, we spend long hours pursuing economic growth, but without health and safety infrastructure, everything else falls short,” he said.

He described the clinic, ambulance and other facilities as community assets and urged traders to use and protect them responsibly.

The event began with a Holy Mass officiated by Rev Fr Onyelo Peter Chijioke, CSSR, of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Agbara.

The new facilities were subsequently commissioned by Ndanusa.

Former APT President, Dr Juderingo Okeke, said the development demonstrated the capacity of organised traders to invest in infrastructure and called for greater government collaboration with trading associations.

“What you see here today is an enduring legacy that will benefit generations of traders to come,” Okeke said.

He urged the government to support traders’ initiatives and involve organised trading associations in economic policy-making.

The ceremony was attended by the project engineer, Emmanuel Akinpelu; members of the APT Board of Trustees; representatives of Fidelity Bank and Taj Bank; security personnel; management and staff of the association; and traders.

The commissioning of the facilities marks a further investment by the association in security, emergency response, healthcare and infrastructure at the Trade Fair Complex.