The Lagos State Government has stressed the importance of a cordial relationship between it and communities hosting government's projects in the state.
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, said this at a meeting organised by the government for four communities, whose lands were acquired for the Lekki Free Trade Zone and Lekki/Epe International Airport, according to a statement by the ministry on Monday.
The commissioner said the communities – Abejoye, Abomiti, Yeguda and Lekki/Epe – just like other communities in which government's projects had been sited, needed to be accommodating.
"All issues that will ensure a rancour-free relationship between government and the communities are being looked into," Oworu said.
Oworu added that the government would make sure that the agreement reached with the communities before their lands were acquired are honoured.
She said efforts were on to ensure timely implementation of Memorandum of Understanding between the parties involved.
The commissioner also used the occasion to present four Hiace buses to the communities, saying the geture was meant to complement the fleet of vehicles previously donated to the host communities.
She said, "This gesture signifies government's commitment towards meeting the yearnings of the affected people and to ensure that they were adequately compensated.
"LFZ is a long-term project that requires adequate planning, consultation and funding. We urge people in the affected communities to embrace the development plan of government by cultivating a true communal spirit that would encourage foreign investors."
She said the re-allocation of land and resettlement plans for all affected communities in the areas had been resolved and that allocation would soon be made to the beneficiaries.
The commissioner said Governor Babatunde Fashola had advised investors in the zone to give priority to the indigenes of the host communities in their employment policies. She urged the youths to support the administration in creating enabling environment for businesses in the zone.
The Punch