Alhaji Abdulraman Zubairu, Group Head (Health, Safety, Environment and Community Affairs), Dangote Group, has told the tribunal inquiring into the October 12 civil disturbances in the Lekki Free Trade Zone that the affected communities would get improved welfare after his partners were able to assess their needs by January 11, 2016.
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode inaugurated the tribunal to investigate the cause of the civil unrest at Lekki free trade zone.
Zubairu noted that Dangote Group is already holding meetings with stakeholders of Ibeju Lekki, which was attended by four permanent secretaries, as well as Lagos State Ministry of Environment.
“The Community Development Plan (CDP) will come up with various ways of meeting the needs of the people; it will come with entrepreneurial skill acquisition.
“We have proved to the Tribunal that we follow due process of the law. We acted in line with the instruction of the EIA Act 86 of 1992. We have international partners like the African Development Bank (ADB) that will never partner without EIA taking its gue course,” Zubairu explained.
Unknown gunmen attacked and shot dead the Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu recently while he went to settle a dispute with the community youth.
Following the tragedy, the leaders of Okunraiye community, one of the host communities of the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, then filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before a Lagos High Court.
Surajudeen Salami, who deposed to the affidavit on behalf of the community, said government forced them out of their homes as well as deprived them of their means of livelihoods – farming and fishing.
Salami recalled that on October 12, the community leaders agreed to meet with Dangote Group to discuss the use of their land for a project by the company, especially the provision of job opportunities for youths of the community.
The community youth were protesting the “forceful acquisition” of their land by the Lagos State government for the free trade zone.
-Vanguard