Press Releases

Lagos Govt Briefs Communities, Press On Projects At Lekki Free Trade Zone
…Seeks understanding of Stakeholders

Dec 1, 2009 - Lagos State Government on Tuesday sought the understanding and cooperation of the people of Lekki and Epe area with the State Government in its efforts to ensure the completion of work on the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

The State Government position was made known at a Press briefing addressed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele alongside the Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry, Mrs Sola Oworu and Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr Gbenga Ashafa at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa.

According to Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, it is noteworthy that the people of the area realize that the government is trying to ensure that the interest of the majority is protected in all the steps it had taken so far.

He added that by convening the meeting which had representatives of the affected communities and their traditional rulers in attendance, the State Government has once again demonstrated its openness as a government.

Mr Bamidele explained that in all civilized societies, the Government usually holds land in trust for the people, adding that whatever issues the affected people have to raise with the Government, they are not beyond its control.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry, Mrs Sola Oworu explained to the community people that they should consider the fact that the project involves a large expanse of land which may take time to develop.

She reiterated that the total expanse of land which is 16, 500 hectares has been divided into two parcels with parcel A being the land which is by the Atlantic while Parcel B falls into Epe Local Government Area.

She also assured that the State Government is committed to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding which it signed with the communities in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

She said as part of these, the State Government has paid compensation of N390Million to all communities affected in parcel A and another N395Million as second tranche to communities affected by parcel B.

Mrs Oworu also informed that in addition, the State Governor has approved excision for 14 villages within the Atlantic side of the Free Trade Zone, listing the communities as Tiye 42.3hectares, Ileye 30 hectares, Idasho 31.79 hectares, Magbonsegun-59.17, Imubido-20 hectares, Imopa-15 hectares, Okunraye-51.6 hectares, Alasia-15 hectares, Ilokun-30 hectares, Lekuru-15 hectares, Okesegun-22.2 hectares and Olomowewe- 21.97 hectares.

She added that Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has also signed the Certificate of Occupancy for 750 hectares of land for communities affected in Parcel A, adding that those affected will get their C of O’s in a couple of days.

She reiterated that the State Government has paid compensation to all those entitled to compensation, appealing to all those with grievances to come forward and speak with the State Government.

She said already, the State Government is working with a Chinese Consortium for the development of the first phase of the Free Trade Zone which is 3000 hectares, adding that the Chinese are expected to bring in capital to develop the infrastructures in free trade zone.

Said Mrs Oworu: “The State Government alone cannot fund all the infrastructure development required in the free Trade Zone, so we are partnering with the Chinese Consortium who will bring in capital to develop infrastructure such as network of roads, power, sewage, water treatment plant so that they can attract the right type of investors in the zone. When you see the Chinese investors on ground, it means they are there as investors”.

“If you see other local people, company outside the government on the land, they are there as the investors. They are coming to invest their money to create industry to provide job for our people within the area. We as a government would also be more alive to our responsibilities”.

Responding to questions from media men, Mrs Oworu informed that Environmental Impact Assessment has been done for the Lekki Free trade Zone, adding that the expanse of land under the Free Trade Zone would revert to the State Government after the Chinese investors must have recouped their investments.

On the issue of Idasho community which has occasioned demonstration by the youths over the acquisition, Mrs Oworu said the case of the community should be isolated as the State is in dialogue with them.

In his contribution, the Permanent Secretary of the Lands Bureau, Mr Gbenga Ashafa informed that the State has been very magnanimous to have used the commercial rate of compensation for the affected communities in the Free Trade Zone.

Mr Ashafa urged the communities to allow their communities experience development which the Free trade Zone would engender, warning that as election periods approach, communities should desist from using political consideration or influence in taking decisions, insisting that this may be problematic

While contributing, the Onise of Ise, Oba Ganiyu Adegbesan expressed happiness with what the State Government is doing in their affected communities, but implored the Government to ensure that it fulfils all the promises made to them.

He added that the State should also ensure that it pays compensation to the appropriate family heads and not to the wrong set of people, urging the State to parley with the aggrieved people.

Also speaking, the Onilekki of Lekki, Oba L.O. Ogunbekun commended the Government for conceiving the project which is bringing development to the area, but pleaded that the State should ensure that it fulfill its own part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it signed with the communities.

In his contribution, the Secretary of the resettlement committee, Mr Hamidu Musiliu said the period between the promised time of completion and actual time it would take being the project comes to full completion is of major concern to him.

He added that as a rural community, the people should be carried along in the process, such as by awarding contracts to some of the local contractors, adding that presently the local contractors feel no sense of belonging.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Epe Local Government, Mr L.A Yakubu commended the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for bringing the project close to the people of Epe

He urged the team to consider as a matter of urgency, the take off of the Epe side of the scheme by coming to commence work in Epe.

Also present at the briefing were Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce, Mr Wale Raji, Director Land Services in the Lands Bureau, Mrs Nike Animashaun, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Mr Hakeem Bello, and Director, Press and Public and Relations, Mr Segun Adedokun.