Africa: For the 3rd time Lagos State Government destroys tourism assets of the same Nigerian Investor

The drive to position Lagos as a tourism haven for tourist and also attract investors in the tourism sector might be eroding gradually, as the government has for the third time in a row destroyed assets belonging to a Nigerian investor.

The government has in recent times formulated polices which has been perceived by residents in the state as unfriendly to businesses operating in Lagos.

Promoter of the popular Eko Oni Baje festival and founder of CastleDown Arts Centre, Ozo Chinedu Idezuna , a Lagos-based art promoting outfit in Lekki axis of the state has repeatedly had his  center demolished by the state government.

The establishment of the Eko Oni Baje new yam and beach festival according to Idezuna, is aimed at promoting tourism and culture, and creating tourism awareness of Lagos.

The yearly festival has been a rallying point Nigerians with the love for culture and tourism.

It was an initial idea of just an atmosphere to share yam as entrenched in Igbo culture which later metamorphosed into a gathering of several cultures such as the Igbo, Yoruba, Hausas and other ethnic groups.’’

But Lagos State Government in a press release said it has commenced the removal of structures encumbering the Right Of Way(ROW) of the Lekki Regional Road.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development,  Dr. Idris Salako, who disclosed this at a meeting in Alausa on Monday, stated that the removal of encumbrances from Right of Way of the proposed road was imperative to pave way for the smooth execution of the project.

He recalled that the Ministry had taken its time to go through the due process of stakeholders’ engagement and service of Statutory Notices on affected structures as expressed in the newspaper publication of June 16, 2020.

He urged owners and occupiers of identified structures to cooperate by moving out of the approved Right of Way of the Regional Road.

He added that the commencement of the process of establishing the Right of Way of the road was a strong indication of Government’s  determination to execute the project in earnest, which should put a stop to any insinuation of extension of deadlines.

Salako reiterated that the Lekki Regional Road was a major road being embarked upon by the Lagos State Government to facilitate the transportation and socio-economic development of the State in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of Government.