A NEW memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between Lagos authorities and communities affected by the development of Lekki Free Trad Zone (LFTZ) along the Lekki-Epe corridor, which empowers the State government  to release prime land to the communities for farming purposes.

The authorities issued Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for 750 hectares of land in the Lekki Free Zone area to two Development Associations representatives of communities within the zone. Alhaji Bisiriyu Abiodun signed for the Epe-Lagoon Area Development Association, while Alhaji Tajudeen Jegede signed for the Lekki Coastal Area Development Association Resettlement Community.

The communities, who were represented by their associations at the presentation ceremony, included the Epe-Lagoon Area Development Association (ELDA), which got a certificate for 375.03 hectares and Lekki Coastal Area Development Association Resettlement Community (LCDARC), which also got C of O for 375.09 hectares.

Speaking at the Conference Room of the Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Ibeju Lekki, venue of the signing ceremony, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, said the handover of certificates to the communities was in fulfillment of the promise made to them by the administration to formally grant land to them for farming and other activities.

According to the Commissioner, government had earlier ceded 394 hectares to the people and paid compensation to the communities all in line with the State’s obligations to the communities under the MOU, adding that investments in the Lekki Free Zone would not only provide jobs to the huge unemployed people in the State but would boost the production of made-in-Nigeria goods.

“We are doing a lot to create employment for our people. We are doing everything possible to ensure that we encourage investors to come and invest in the Lekki Free Zone. That way, we will create jobs for our unemployed people while we develop our State”, the Commissioner said.

Noting that the communities whose land were acquired to locate the Zone had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government which included the need to cede land to them for farm work and other activities, the Commissioner expressed the confidence that investment in the zone would increase as investors would have more assurance to come in and invest.

“The presentation of C of Os to the communities today is in fulfillment of the promise made earlier to the communities. In fact one of the problems that we had in the past was that they complained that they needed land to farm and engage in other activities. So now that they have a land of their own, they can now engage in their own activities while the investors come and invest in the Zone”, the Commissioner said.

Mrs. Oworu further disclosed that the Lekki Free Zone Development Company was also embarking on a temporary Power Plant to boost economic activities in the area adding that by October this year, the Plant would be ready.

“We are also embarking on a temporary Power Plant to serve the Zone so that new investors coming in will have electricity. By October this year, the plant will be ready. If they have electricity, the environment will be more conducive for them and activities are bound to accelerate”, she said.

Also speaking to newsmen after the ceremony, the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Isola Animashaun, said the initiative of Government to issue them with Certificates of Occupancy on the land would further boost the relationship between the communities and the investors in the Lekki Free Zone.

The Oloja, who said the issuance of the Certificates was a pleasant surprise, lauded government, particularly, the Governor Babatunde Fashola for the gesture, with the assurance that the communities would cooperate with government to ensure rapid development of the Zone.

“We thank the Lagos State Governor and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry for a job well done. In the first place, we have to play our part in order to bring development into our communities. If we cooperate with the government and the investors, development will come.

“The second point is that in order for our graduates to get jobs we need investments in the community and it is only when investments come that our children will get jobs. So it is good for us to welcome them and have good relationship with them”, said Animasaun. He added that it would be difficult to get investors if the host communities are hostile.

The Chairman, Community Relations Committee for the Zone, Muslim Folami, also, expressed joy that a cordial relationship has been established between the communities and government as well as the investors adding that the investment in the Zone was so important to the development of both the State and Nigeria.

Folami, who is also Special adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Power Bureau, expressed satisfaction on the roles played by the affected communities.

“Just think of it. Dangote has just come in and he promised a refinery and a petrochemical plant that would produce fertilizer. This is a big business that will go a long way to boost the economy and also provides employment for graduates in the communities. Other communities in this zone are in need of investment. If they allow it to go that is the end”, he said.

Source – Guardian

2014-07-07