By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Government has waded into the rancour brewing among the host communities for the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs Lola Akande, held a meeting with them on Friday, urging them to give peace a chance as the project would benefit them.
Mrs Akande, during the meeting with leaders of the 12 host communities as well as other relevant stakeholders in the deep-sea port project, stressed the need to embrace unity and speak with one voice so that their demands can be quickly met and adequately catered for.
She also implored the 12 host communities to appoint a six-man committee as their representative at every meeting with the state government, adding that they should bring up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) articulating their requests, complaints and suggestions.
The Commissioner noted that the state government was committed to making the project a reality, announcing that the seaport may soon commence operations earlier than planned.
She explained that the meeting with them was to ensure the project goes smoothly and that it was part of the inclusive policy of the present administration as well as to seek their buy-in on the project.
According to her, the state government is ready to give the necessary support for the timely delivery of the project, stressing that the cooperation of all the parties involved is germane and critical to its success.
In their remarks, members of the communities present at the gathering expressed their joy that the project will boost the region’s economy and equally enhance their lifestyle.
They promised to fully support the initiative, promising to articulate their demands as requested by the Commissioner. They thanked the state government for engaging them concerning the project.
