Inside Lagos
Lagos embraces partnership terms with Netherlands to manage coastal erosion
By Moses Adeniyi
As concerns grow over coastal erosion, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has embraced the readiness of the Kingdom of Netherlands to partner with the State in checking coastal erosion, rapidly ravaging coastal areas, through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) investment model.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, made this known while playing host to the trade delegation led by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Lagos, Michel Deleen.
The trade delegation was on a visit to express their readiness and terms of deal to invest in Makoko, Okunde, Okun Ajah, and other Lagos coastal areas.
Alebiosu said coastal erosion is a serious issue that can lead to loss of land and property, as well as endangering lives.
He also recognised that the kingdom of the Netherlands has been dealing with this issue for a long time, given that her land is below sea level.
He said, “but the Dutch government has embraced numerous modern techniques to keep water at bay against the sea.”
He was optimistic that “this investment would assist the Lagos government in checking the surging erosion in Okunde, Lekki, and Okun Ajah areas of the State to prevent communities from going into extinction.”
The Commissioner also assured the Dutch trade delegation that his team is working on a robust masterplan, which will be an improvement on the current Waterfront Masterplan.
He said the masterplan would accommodate the concerns of all stakeholders and also help investors know the areas they can key into, as regards the PPP partnership.
“Over the years, our coastal communities have been challenged and devastated by ocean surge, especially the Okunde and Okun Ajah area in Lekki, with several houses destroyed, and communities going to extinction. The depletion of these communities has also continued unabated due to ocean surge triggered by several activities along the coastline,” Alebiosu said.
On the part of the Dutch Delegation, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Netherlands to Lagos, Michel Deleen, said the delegation came to see how they can partner with Lagos in checking coastal erosion, especially around Makoko and the Atlantic Ocean.
He expressed his concerns about the sea surge that is affecting Lagos, which is also causing an environmental crisis.
Deleen also inquired about the State policy on waterfront and coastal areas, to see how they can key into the plan, as well as partner on the Great Wall of Lagos project.
He, therefore, proposed a PPP model, with which Lagos and the Netherlands can work to check the erosion ravaging the coastal areas.
The envoy said it is great to see that Lagos is taking steps to address this issue, stating that the partnership will lead to innovative solutions that can be applied in Lagos.
On the Dutch delegation were Edwin Van Veehuizen, the Strategy and Partnership Manager at Invest International, which is the platform that is pushing the investment, and Opeyemi Oriniowo, the Policy Adviser/Economic Affairs and Public Diplomacy at the Consulate of the Kingdom of Netherlands. While Kehinde Gbajumo, the Permanent Secretary, and some key ministry officials attended on behalf of the State Government.
The Attorney-General of Lagos, Lawal Pedro has requested the Ikeja Special Offences Court to discontinue the trial of Azubuike Ishiekwene and Olalekan Abdul, who are facing allegations of N1.35 billion fraud.
Pedro’s notice of discontinuance, dated May 30, was filed under Section 71(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State. This move comes after an unsuccessful attempt to take over the prosecution of the case.
Presiding Judge Mojisola Dada has scheduled a ruling on the application for July 1.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) first arraigned Ishiekwene and Abdul on January 29, 2020. Both pleaded not guilty to a 26-count charge, including conspiracy, forgery, and stealing.
In the charge marked ID/11126C/19, the defendants are accused of conspiring with Adeyinka Adewole and Morakinyo Bolanle, who are currently at large, to fraudulently obtain N350 million and N1 billion from Wema Bank.
The EFCC alleges the defendants forged a document dated April 9, 2018, titled “Board Resolutions of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solutions Ltd,” purportedly issued by Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solutions Limited.
Additionally, the EFCC claims that on December 14, 2010, Abdul presented a false board resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solutions Limited to Wema Bank to secure credit facilities of N350 million and N1 billion at different times.
The defendants filed no-case submissions.
They contested the testimony of EFCC witnesses, arguing that the prosecution failed to show any prima facie evidence linking them with any alleged offence.
Specifically, the first defendant told the court that he was a victim of a vendetta by EFCC agents who were aggrieved that he reported them for demanding a $20,000 bribe.
However, on November 17, 2023, the judge dismissed the no-case submissions and ordered the defendants to open their defence.
The defendants had called four witnesses before asking the EFCC to withdraw the case.
They also applied to the Lagos AG to take over the case, a move initially resisted by the AG via a counter-application to the court.
The AG later withdrew the counter application and prayed for the court to give its ruling.
By Esther Agbo
The Lagos State Government has officially presented the Ikorodu Sub-Region Master Plan for 2016-2036 to stakeholders, local leaders and elders.
A report from the state government’s official portal disclosed this development.
According to the state government, once a primarily agrarian area with a few villages, Ikorodu has experienced a significant population surge, leading to issues such as flooding, land management disputes, and traffic congestion.
At the official ceremony held at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, expressed gratitude to community leaders and residents for their support in bringing the plan to fruition.
He expressed his excitement over the community’s involvement throughout the plan’s development stages, “I am deeply excited that the people of Ikorodu Division have always demonstrated ownership of the Ikorodu Sub-Region Master Plan, right from its preparation to the completion stage, and this is being demonstrated here today with the impressive turnout for the launch of the master plan.
I am elated to see the who-is-who in the sub-region in this hall, including traditional rulers, past and serving public officials, and other well-meaning stakeholders.”
Dr. Olumide explained that the master plan, which will guide development in Ikorodu until 2036, focuses on physical and socio-economic infrastructure, land use, transportation and environmental management.
He added that the Master plan was aimed at the sustainable development of the Sub-Region and that officers of the Ministry, both at the district level and headquarters, would be quite responsive to the needs of the people regarding its use.
He highlighted that the Master Plan is designed to promote sustainable development within the Sub-Region assuring that both district and headquarters officers from the Ministry would be responsive to public needs regarding the plan’s implementation.
The Director, Regional and Master Plan in the Office of Physical Planning, Tpl. Kunle Salami, provided a synopsis of the project.
He explained that while the Ikorodu Sub-Region Master Plan was originally intended to cover the years 2016 to 2036, the premature death of a key consultant, Messrs City Scape Planning Services delayed its completion.
Tpl. Kamil Sanni, representing the consultants, highlighted the use of participatory methods, including focus group discussions and various stakeholder engagements, supported by local leaders and residents, in developing the Master Plan.
The Permanent Secretary of the Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, congratulated the local residents on the formal handover of the Ikorodu Sub-Region Master Plan. He noted that this plan is expected to significantly improve the area’s prospects by contributing to the Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy pillar initiative under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of the Lagos State Government.
Sotire emphasized that following the plan’s guidelines would foster a well-organized, orderly, livable, and sustainable environment in the Sub-Region.
On behalf of the community, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi, received the planning document from the Commissioner. He praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration for its dedication to the Ikorodu Sub-Region and affirmed that the Master Plan was developed with local input. He pledged that the community would take ownership of the plan.
The event saw attendance from several notable figures in the region, including all paramount traditional rulers of the Ikorodu Sub-Region, former Deputy Governor Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Lagos State Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, and other former commissioners and advisers.
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government is set to commission 270 housing units at the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate today June 6, 2024, fulfilling Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s promise to complete all ongoing housing projects in the state.
According to the Commissioner of Housing, Honourable Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, the estate, which has been under construction for 21 years, will finally be completed and keys handed over to homeowners.
Akinderu-Fatai stated that the project, aimed at providing affordable and quality housing for Lagos residents, faced numerous setbacks, including vandalism and theft.
However, the state government remained committed to delivering the project, adopting a cluster arrangement strategy to overcome the challenges.
The commissioning of the Egan-Igando Estate marks a significant milestone in the state government’s efforts to address the housing needs of its citizens.
The project’s completion is a testament to the government’s determination to fulfill its promises and provide quality housing for all.
“We are thrilled to finally break through the barriers that have held us back for so long with the delivery of the first cluster comprising 270 homes,” said Akinderu-Fatai.
At the site, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Engr. AbdulHafis Gbolahan, announced that the preparation process for the estate was completed on May 31, 2024, paving the way for the official unveiling on June 6, 2024.
He urged all stakeholders, including contractors and community members, to collaborate to ensure a smooth and successful delivery of the project.
The Permanent Secretary also expressed the State government’s gratitude for the patience, understanding, and trust shown by the prospective homeowners who have waited many years for the completion of the housing scheme.
“We are confident that the result will be well worth the wait,” Engr. Toriola added.
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