Sanwo-Olu pledges infrastructural support for manufacturing sector

As Dangote Fertiliser Commences Operation This Week
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has renewed his promise to provide the necessary infrastructure for the success of manufacturing companies, including those on the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

The governor stated this, yesterday, at the end of his two-day tour of major facilities in Ibeju-Lekki corridor, with a promise to continue to create a more enabling environment for business to thrive, and ensure the people of Lagos East Senatorial District were not leftout.

Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by some cabinet members, inspected the level of work at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Lagos Free Zone and Deep Sea Port and Dangote Refineries and Fertiliser.

Speaking after meeting with the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, behind closed doors, Sanwo-Olu said annexes of government offices, including Environment, Physical planning, tourism and commerce would be situated within the Free Zone for quick response.

The Governor said intermodal transportation system for the area was part of the masterplan, and expression of interests have been made to avoid a repeat of the Apapa gridlock in the rapidly developing Lekki corridor.

Dangote pointed out that over 20, 000 of the 36,000 workers currently working at the Refinery and Fertiliser are Nigerians.

Aliko announced that the fertiliser company would start operation from next week, while the refinery would be completed this year and start operation in the first quarter of next year.

Also, Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, commissioned Phase I of the Ariyo Ira-Muwo-Tedi-Abule Oshun Road alignment with reinforced concrete bridges in Ojo.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the project is aimed at redirecting traffic to the inner roads to alleviate gridlock, while construction lasts at the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

He reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the Okokomaiko- Marina Rail commenced operations by the end of 2023.
According to him, government is committed to alleviating traffic bottlenecks in the state to improve considerably lives and economy of the state, in line with the administration’s THEME AGENDA.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu also met with traditional rulers in the Lekki axis, promising empowerment for women in the axis would be prioritised.

He advised the traditional rulers to admonish their children to stop arbitrary sale of land, get the necessary qualification and skills to enable them benefit from the companies in the Free Zone, while reporting grievances with the manufacturing companies to government, instead of resorting to self-help.

Earlier, the Onilekki of Lekki, Oba Liasim Ogunbekun, who told the governor of the need to beef up security and fast track the reconstruction of roads in the area, said there has been no electricity in the axis for close to seven years. Forty-four companies are currently operating in the free zone.