The Lekki Coastal Area Development Association, a group comprising twelve communities whose lands were acquired by the Lagos State Government for the development of Lekki Free Trade Zone has cried out to the government to save them from land grabbers who had allegedly invaded the land they were resettled.
Speaking at a press conference at Ibafon, Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, the chairman of Lekki Coastal, Alhaji Wasiu Olaomopo Ayeola said that substantial parts of the resettled land backed with Certificate of Occupancy had been illegally sold by these invading land grabbers.
He called on the government to protect their interests in the area saying, “ We believe in the vision of the Lagos State Government, the vision of bringing employment to our people and developing our area.
He said, “We want government to join us with us to fight these infiltrators. The land was given to us as our compensation because the economic livelihood of the people had been disturbed. Those who are are fishing cannot do that again.
“Dangote was given 2,600 hectares of my ancestral land at Okuraye but we believe in the vision. The land that you gave us to boost our economy, some people no matter how high they are in the society should not hijack it. The state government should join us.
“Our only offence is that we have taken possessions of land Lagos state government gave to us by law. These people have been peddling lies to those in government saying we are selling land meant for resettlement. This land was given to the communities for their economic empowerment. The moment we have carried our people along to take decision on the land so be it… They are the owners of it.
“In the MOU, none of these communities is going to be moved. It is only three (Itoikin, Idotun and Okuraye) out of these communities that may be slightly affected by the sea ports. In the event of that, Lagos State Government has made provision for 170 hectares. These have not been given to us anyway.
The chairman added that they created window for ratification of land illegally bought from alleged fraudulent sources adding that the opportunity was created in the interest of peace. “That was the magnanimity of the Lekki Coastal leaders. We offered them even below half of the current value of the land” , Ayeola said.
He also called on the biggest beneficiary of the Free Trade Zone, Dangote Group to redeem its promise of employing youths in the area for the refinery.
“ We believe in the vision of free trade zone. We are on the same page with the Lagos State Government. There was an Memorandum of Understanding we signed. The government should endeavor to fulfill them not only in the area of land. They promised to give us ten percent of the land acquired from us which is 750 hectares but invariable that gave us 375 hectares.
“We are still awaiting the balance. The half they have given us, they should assist us in taking full possession so that it can be useful to us. Those who are troubling us, no matter their position in the society, government should not listen to them.
“Government promised us employment, that is the major carrot they dangled before us. We want government to call Dangote group to order. Government promised us that anything they are going to do in the Trade Zone, Lekki coastal, as the umbrella association of the communities whose lands were acquired will be involved.
“We can’t see anything from them. I went there to protest, I was sent out. We went there with other members of the committee; they (Dangote Group) said we didn’t write letters, we wrote letter after one year they have not replied us. We are just pacifying our communities.
“Already, they have started engaging people, we heard in the news that they have started sending people abroad for training but we are not benefitting”.
