WorldStage Newsonline– The Federal Government, through Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has confirmed payment of compensation to host communities accommodating the textile and garment industrial park as part of its Corporate Social Regeneration scheme(CSR).
Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director, NEPZA said at the CSR event at Alaro City, Epe area, on Friday in Lagos that seven families that owned the land were compensated.
The families include the Olayinka Salami family, Aderenle village, Muhammed Balogun family, Bashorun Seidu family, Iyanda family, Matanmi Mobolaji family and Agara Onileyan family.
Ogunyemi, represented by Mrs Chika Ibekwe, Director, Zones, NEPZA, said that the development was in line with the goals and objectives of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
He said that the CSR would be a continuous process of regeneration to open new chapter of cooperation and mutual understanding to foster unhindered progress of work.
He said that the textile and garments industrial park project would be of immense benefit to the local communities.
Ogunyemi said that one of the measures to put Nigeria on the path of economic growth was the introduction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) through NEPZA.
According to him, three Pilot SEZs at key locations were selected, including the Textile and Garment Industrial Park (TGIP) within the Lekki Free Zone.
He said that the TGIP was to become the manufacturing hub for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), agro-industries, textile businesses and a sports and community centre.
Ogunyemi said that it would also serve the export markets of South-West Nigeria and beyond with a reach to over 50 million people.
“There are many benefit to gain from the SEZ, including employment generation, especially to the local community, opportunity for backward linkage, improvement of infrastructure network around the project, and others.
“With all these projects currently on-going, and the possible impact on the community, NEPZA has envisaged a compensation plan to mitigate the effect on the families and host communities.
“The CSR was put in place by the NEPZA to address specific demands from the concerned families,” he said.
Mrs Celestina Obioha, Chairperson, CSR Committee, NEPZA, said that in spite of the future multiplier benefits of the project to the surrounding communities, NEPZA was committed to compensating them.
She said that the authority’s three-man committee had met with relevant stakeholders and submitted a report recommending the need to execute the programme.
Obioha said that the authority approved all recommendations and that the NEPZA boss was particular about the welfare of the local community and the families concerned.
“We hope this will prove to the community and families that NEPZA has shown goodwill and the projects will continue unhindered.
“The local community will be the direct beneficiary of the project when it finally takes off, and we hope that the partnership with the community continues,” she said.
Alhaji Muftau Shittu, President, Eyin-Osa United Kingdom Development Association, the umbrella association for the host communities, said that the area was deforested by their forefathers over 500 years ago.
He said that at the beginning, the entire communities lived in peace practising economic activities such as farming, hunting, fishing, brewing of hot drinks and timber lumbering.
Shittu revealed that trouble started in mid-year 2003 when groups of land grabbers started claiming ownership of Eyin-Osa lands from the original and rightful land owners.
According to him, in May 2008, without due diligent information, the lands were expropriated and appropriated to Lekki Free Trade Zone and the journey for adequate compensation with Lagos State Government began.
He said that as economic activities of the people were stopped, majority of the land owners were thrown to the labour market while many out of frustration died.
The community leader said NEPZA, knowing where the shoe pinched, contacted the association and sought for ways to compensate the owners of the area.
“I advise that the compensation issue is being handled with Lagos State Government and that NEPZA can consider the option of palliative on regular basis.
“Under normal circumstances, the entire land area of 240.09 was released to NEPZA without the contribution of land owners.
“Today, there is light at the end of the tunnel with the palliative gifts being given to Eyin-Osa land owners by NEΡΖΑ and we are appreciative of your kind gesture,” he said.
Shittu, however, said that a well-structured CSR plan was expected beyond palliatives.
He urged the youths to be patient with the intervention of NEPZA, which he said kindled a message of hope.
