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Sanwo-olu sets December deadline for the relocation of Oko Baba Saw Millers to permanent site

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…Governor tours Agbowa-Ikosi Timberville, Says Govt has political will to complete project

…We’re Ready to move to new site — Saw Millers’ Leader

The long wait for the planned relocation of saw millers of Oko Baba in Ebute Metta, Lagos Mainland, to a proposed permanent site in Agbowa, will come to an end in December, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assured the timber traders.

The Governor gave the assurance on Tuesday during his tour of Agbowa-Ikosi Timberville in Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to inspect level of work done on the site.

The State Government started the development of the Timberville during the Babatunde Fashola administration. The project was stalled afterwards, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty over the fate of the saw millers in Oko Baba.

Sanwo-Olu revisited the project by re-mobilizing the contractor back on the site. The saw millers could not hold back their excitement at the development; their leader, Alh. Abdul-Ganiu Onikeku joined the Governor on the tour of the site.

The Governor, joined by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, also inspected a 1,500 tons per hour brickette plant built on the site by Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), which will enable the conversion of mill’s byproduct to combustible brick materials for industrial use.

The State Government, Sanwo-Olu said, revised the approved design of the project to bring more amenities to the Timberville for the comfort of the timber traders.

He disclosed that 160 units of two-bedroom flats had been completed for the accommodation of the inhabitants, while blocks of offices for administrative services had been out in place.

He said, “This project has been on for years, but we are happy that our own Government has brought it back. We have invested a lot of resources to be able to bring it to a useable level. Part of the facilities we have put in place for the potential Oko Baba saw millers that will be moving here is 160 units of two-bedroom flats that have been completed. We also have offices in their various shades that have been built. The other amenity built on this site is a brickette plant facility which will be managed by LAWMA.

“The leaders of Oko Baba saw millers’ association are excited and are willing to relocate to the site. The ship piles where ships will be berthing have been done. What is left is to clear the trailer path for the saw millers, and put up a police post and a fire service. In this regard, we are making additional funding available to the contractor to ensure that before the end of this year, we all should sing Hallelujah and bring everybody down here. It’s been a very long journey, but our administration is committed to bringing the long wait to an end.”

The Governor explained why there was a delay in the construction of a 3km access road from the main expressway to the site, stressing that the ongoing construction of a bridge crossing on-site slowed down work on the road.

Sanwo-Olu, however, said alternative roads had been completed to pave the way for smooth relocation of the saw millers. He added the access road would be tarred immediately after the crossing bridge is completed.

Once the amenities are in place, Sanwo-Olu said the Government would start relocating the saw millers. He reiterated that his administration possessed the political will to complete the project and move the inhabitants to the site.

The Governor said, “They are waiting on us to clean up and ensure the Timberville is fully habitable for them. In terms of agreement with the saw millers, they have shown their readiness to relocate. We have the full political will to ensure this relocation is done, but we don’t want to throw our citizens into a place that is not fully ready.

“The saw millers at Oko Oba have been cooperative with the Government and working with us tirelessly to ensure everything required is provided. It has been a very long journey, but our administration is committed to bringing the long wait to an end.”

Onikeku, president of Lagos Mainland Sawmillers Association, recalled that the Timberville could have been completed but for the disagreement over the design of the project, which led to it being abandoned.

He said, “All of us are happy this project has been revived by Gov. Sanwo-Olu after many years it was abandoned. One of the reasons we did not agree with the previous Government is that the design was not done according to our agreement. This has been reversed and we have our input in the new design.

“Our people will not be relocated here to be playing ludo game; they are coming to cut timbers and we will make judicious use of the facility. We are expressing our appreciation to the Governor and his deputy for listening to our pleas to revive the project when we met them over the development.”

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Lagos-Calabar coastal project: Landmark commences refunds to customers

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The management of Landmark Resort Beach said it has commenced the refund process for customers affected by the recent demolition of portions of its properties by the Federal Government.

Landmark Africa, the parent company of Landmark Resort, made this known on Friday in a post on its X handle.

The firm acknowledged the patience of their customers, advising that completion of the refund process may be delayed due to the volume of requests.

t said: “Dear Landmark Citizens, we would like to assure you all that we have started issuing refunds to those who requested a refund of their money on the Landmark Citizen App.

“Please be patient with us, due to the volume of requests, this process will take some time. Be rest assured that all refund requests will be processed. Thank you all for your support and patience.

A portion of Landmark Beach on Victoria Island, Lagos, was recently demolished to accommodate the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

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NiMet forecasts 3-day sunny, cloudy atmosphere conditions

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Friday to Sunday across the nation.

NiMet weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja forecast sunny skies in hazy atmosphere on Friday over the northern region with exception of Taraba state where pockets of clouds could be visible during the forecast period.

According to the agency, sunny atmosphere patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region during the forecast period.

“The Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency said later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Abia and Imo states.

NiMet predicted sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere on Saturday over the northern region with prospects of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna state.

It anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi and Plateau states.

“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the southern region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over the region,” it said.

According to NiMet, sunny skies in hazy atmosphere are expected over the northern region during the forecast period on Sunday.

The agency predicted sunny atmosphere with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

NiMet forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory later in the day.

NiMet predicted Cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Ekiti, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day.

“Strong winds may precede rains in the areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, the public should take adequate precaution.

“Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

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Nigeria accedes to Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Devt agreement

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Nigeria has become the latest signatory to the Establishment Agreement of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development impact-oriented subsidiary of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

This is contained in a statement signed by Vincent Musumba, Manager, Media Relations, Afreximbank, in Abuja on Friday.

Musumba said Nigeria joined the ranks of countries acceding to the Establishment Agreement of FEDA, becoming the 16th nation to do so.

He said this underscored the increasing backing the Fund enjoyed among African nations.

“This announcement comes three decades following Afreximbank’s establishment in Nigeria, a key milestone that boldly demonstrates Nigeria’s continued commitment to supporting Afreximbank and FEDA’s missions.

“ FEDA sees new memberships as critical to broadening its scope of interventions and its mission of delivering long-term capital to African economies, with a focus on industrialisation, intra-African trade and value-added exports.”

Musumba said the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement was expected to pave the way for the ratification of the agreement in due course.

“This will in turn bolster FEDA’s interventions in Nigeria.”

He quoted Prof. Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank and Chairman of the Boards of both Afreximbank and FEDA, as saying: ”we extend our sincere appreciation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement.

“This significant achievement further strengthens the already robust partnership between Afreximbank and Nigeria, one of the bank’s foremost supporters.

“The partnership will enhance investments in sectors critical to the development journey of Nigeria.”

Musumba said FEDA is the impact investment subsidiary of Afreximbank set up to provide equity, quasi-equity, and debt capital to finance the multi-billion-dollar funding gap (particularly in equity) needed to transform the Trade sector in Africa.

He said other countries who had acceded to FEDA’s Establishment Agreement included Rwanda, Mauritania, Guinea, Togo, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Musumba said others are Kenya, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Egypt.

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