Press Releases

Lagos To Provide Infrastructure To Enable Lekki Free Trade Zone Kick Off Soonest - Fashola

Jul 31, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday undertook an extensive inspection tour of the Lekki Free Trade Zone reiterating that the State Government is poised to provide infrastructure that would enable the zone kick off in the shortest possible time.

Governor Fashola who spoke at Lekki added offers are already being received from people all over the world who wish to establish industries and production in the zone.

The Governor said he has received assurance from the project managers that by mid- September this year the total quantum of the amended drawings and plans with the full development plans to complete the basic drainages and roads would be ready.

He added that the developmental plan would also include the completion of the main entrance gate, office complexes of the Customs, Immigration and all related control issues which needed to be dealt with before the commencement of the zone, urging that efforts should be redoubled to achieve the envisaged goals of the trade zone.

Governor Fashola who also had an interactive session with members of the community and traditional rulers of the area informed that the state will make use of the land in the area for developmental purposes and because of its genuine intention of fast tracking development to the area.

He restated the commitment of the administration to ensure that the 2.5 percent equity participation promised the people of the area is respected as well as the provision of 750 hectares of land in replacement for the residents of the area.

The Lagos State Governor explained that this is in addition to the houses which the State Government also promised to provide to the people who would be relocated from the free trade zone.

He also directed that proper work should be carried out on the drainage channels within the zone in order to allow a free flow of water and prevent flooding

Governor Fashola assured that compensation would be adequately taken care of as provided by the law adding that crop enumeration and measurement of the acquired territory would form the basis of determining the compensation to be paid.

He said just as the state government has ensured that compensation were paid to area under parcel A , same would be extended to parcel B area in the on going exercise.

He advised the residents and the landowners not to be misled by misguided people into making unrealistic demands on the land being made used of, saying “even if tomorrow the investors decide to move away from here, the infrastructure would be available permanently for the your usage”.

Governor Fashola agreed with the suggestion of the community that the MOU can be revisited in the future if the need arises and commended the community for the hospitality which it has been displaying to the investors in the area.

Also speaking, the Consular General of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Guo Kun said the LFTZ project is a very famous project which the people and leaders of China are very much interested in.

The Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone Development Company, Mr Allen Lee while taking the Governor and his entourage round the zone promised that 3.5 square kilometer of the road project would be ready by the commencement of the dry season.

Earlier, the spokesperson of the community, Mr. Ayodele Olayinka while speaking at the interactive session had pleaded with the Governor to ensure that the land was used for the developmental purpose which it was earmarked initially.

He also sought the commitment of the Governor in ensuring that all the residents of parcel b area who have not been catered for in terms of compensation are fully taken care of by the state government.

The Governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by members of the State Executive Council namely Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele- Information and Strategy, Prince Adesegun Oniru- Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Niyi Oyemade- Commerce and Industry and Mrs. Sola Oworu, the Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry and other top government functionaries.