Zero Tolerance For Illegal Operations: LASG seals 5 Container Terminals in Kirikiri
… Urges Tank Farm operators to respect ultimatum
By Moses Adeniyi
Following its resolve to pursue zero tolerance for illegal operations and development, the Lagos State Government has sealed 5 Container Terminals along the Kirikiri coast for operating illegally without recourse to the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law.
The sealing of the Container Terminal facilities, which are becoming ubiquitous along the coastlines of the State, was the outcome of a special enforcement exercise coordinated by the State’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in conjunction with the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
In the course of the operation on Thursday, the State’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako disclosed that Container Terminals were operating without the approval of the Lagos State Government while their operations had been observed to have constitued a menace to the watercourse of Lagos State.
He added that no such operations with serious potential impacts on the physical environment could be allowed to go on without proper regulations.
Salako added that the Container Terminals that were sealed had been hiding under the guise of having federal approval to operate but could not present on demand any permit legalising the location of their facilities.
He reiterated the resolute stand of the State Government to halt the spate of illegal physical development in the State and to give proper planning its pride of place towards achieving the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.
The Commissioner further enjoined Tank Farm Operators in the corridor to consider the ultimatum on legalising their operations which would lapse by the end of February 2021, directing them to revert to the Ministry with a view to effect the needful.
He urged the Tank Farm Operators to reciprocate the compassion and understanding displayed by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and resume discussions on how to actualise their approvals and their Corporate Social Responsibility to their respective bases of operations.
In his remarks, the Managing Director LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel corroborated that all activities on the waterways of the State were being controlled through constant surveillance and monitoring which would not give room to any illegal operations that could be inimical to the progress of the State.
