• ’We’ll transform coastal community’
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised to restore order and enhance infrastructure development on the coastal corridor of Ibeshe, Ilashe and Tarkwa Bay.
He described the area as a future hub for tourism and economic activities.
Sanwo-Olu made the pledge during an inspection tour of the corridor yesterday.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor was accompanied by other officials of the state government, monarchs, and other community stakeholders.
The governor said the visit was necessary to assess the challenges facing the residents and identify opportunities for sustainable development.
“We are bringing life back into this community, but more importantly, we are bringing a lot of order, sanity and understanding of how livelihoods need to be,” he said.
According to him, the corridor, which lies between Atlantic Ocean and Lagos Lagoon within 1.5km holds enormous tourism potential.
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“This whole stretch is the future that we need to preserve. Government will not fold its arms.
“We will intervene, support and regulate so that development happens in an orderly way,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu expressed concern about indiscriminate construction and violation of building regulations in the area.
“We have seen a lot of disjointed buildings and abuse of physical planning approvals.
“There are clear setback lines from the ocean that people have ignored, and this cannot continue,” he said.
The governor said his administration, through Lagos State Physical Planning Authority and other agencies, would embark on an enumeration exercise to regularise developments and protect local communities.
“We will take inclusive decisions on how to regularise, how to give titles and how to ensure indigenes are not put at a disadvantage.
“It has to be a win-win situation for everyone,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said the plan would include provision of basic amenities such as hospitals, shopping centres, fuel stations and security posts, to create a complete work-life ecosystem.
“We want to create an ecosystem where people can live, work and thrive.
“That means we need hospitals, supermarkets, pharmacies, fire stations and security presence.
“Nothing will be left undone to make inhabitants of these communities thrive,” he said.
The governor said tourism development would be prioritised, adding that the government would act as a strong enabler to unlock the potential of the area.
“These communities are between ocean and the sea. The location makes it an interesting choice for tourism.
“We see the opportunity and the potential of this place, and we will not allow it to waste,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He hailed the cooperation of traditional rulers and community members during the tour, and assured Lagosians that government’s intervention would prioritise inclusiveness and sustainability.
