Lagos, FG, others move to ensure eco-safety in Lekki Free Zone

IN a bid to ensure the preservation and sustenance of nature in the proposed Lekki Free Zone project, the Lagos State Government in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Environment and stakeholders, held a panel review meeting on the environmental impact assessment done on the area.Assessment of the possible positive and negative impacts the proposed project may have on the environment was the focus of the meeting of the panel made up of professionals in different fields of endeavour.Speaking at the review session held recently at the Protea Hotel, Lekki, Chairman of the panel, Mr. Lawrence S. Ajibade disclosed that the meeting was possible due to the partnership between the Lagos State Government and other investors. He noted that the Lekki Free Zone project is a community friendly project.In her opening remarks, the Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Maila-Fiya, who was represented by the Director, Environmental Assessment Department in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Taiwo M. Odubela, said phase one of the project has been mapped out for 3,000 hectares of land.He said it would provide a platform for economic growth, job opportunities and generate revenue for government.'The EIA review is not to stall development but to ensure environmental stability,' she said.Presenting details of the project plan, the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Adeyemo Thompson revealed that the project will witness developments such as airport, seaport, railway, road network, industries and buildings across Lekki sub-region, noting that the study took time and that samples of soil were closely studied by a wide consortium of scientists.He also disclosed that due to the concern about the potential long-term effects of such a project, the inhabitants were accommodated in the study, as strategies to ensure the safety of humans, animals and plant species been adopted.
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