Mandy Park
Rights group, Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has raised alarm over the poor execution of dredging and water transportation projects in Lagos State.
This is as the group called on Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately take appraisal of the on-going projects, so as to correct anomalies.
CHSR said the call has become necessary as the hope of waterways transportation for improved accessibility and movements across the state may not materialise soonest in spite of promises by the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu to deliver on his promise.
At a press conference in Lagos today, Thursday 16th May 2024 at it’s Liberation Centre office, CHSR noted that It is regrettable that the Commissioner of Waterfront Infrastructure Development Hon. Yacoob Ekundayo Alebiosu did not provide accurate and substantial information on the prevailing situation with regards to ongoing dredging of waterways across the state.
In a statement by Comrade Alex Omotehinse, President CHSR, the group asked Sanwo-Olu to investigate Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure to allay public concerns and suspicions regarding arbitrary awards of dredging contract.
The Statement read in part “” Our Demands- We call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to investigate Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure to allay public concerns and suspicions regarding arbitrary awards of dredging contract and ensure remedy to the poor implementation ongoing works.
“”We call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure thorough diligence in the selection of contractors.
“”We call for the immediate intervention of Governor Sanwo-Olu towards ensuring that resources are no longer diverted, but to also ensure that only contractors with requisite competence as well as required expertise and equipment are awarded the dredging of waterways to facilitate rapid transformation of water infrastructure in Lagos State.
“”We call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to remain focused in fulfilling his promises to Lagosians regarding waterways transportation to facilitate socio-economic development across the state.”
The statement noted further that ”it would be recalled that during the electioneering campaign that ushered in Mr. Governor for second term in office, promises were made to provide water transportation facilities to enhance accessibility to other parts of the state.
“”However, recent happenings with regards to the implementation of projects raised doubts regarding the commitment of the Lagos State Government to fulfill it’s promises.Unfortunately, there were several misrepresentations during the Ministerial Press Briefing by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development where the scorecard of the ministry was provided in commemoration of the first year’s anniversary of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
“It is regrettable that the Commissioner of Waterfront Infrastructure Development Hon. Yacoob Ekundayo Alebiosu did not provide accurate and substantial information on the prevailing situation with regards to ongoing dredging of waterways across the state.Without doubt, water transportation infrastructure is a potential catalyst for transforming economic activities across communities and the neighbourhoods in Lagos State.
”Nevertheless, we have reasons to doubt the progress of works on ongoing project contrary to the commissioner’s claim that the Jetty at Amuwo Odofin is currently at 52 percent completion while both the Ijede Shoreline / protection Jetty and Mowo Ojoo Jetty stand at 48 percent Completion.
“”We expect the commissioner to shed more light on the progress of reclamation projects across the state under his watch.
“”There are concerns about shoddy works being carried out by the contractors, who from all indications, are either not well-equipped or competent enough to deliver.
“”We are deeply concerned that these projects may end up being abandoned or lead to wastage of public resources unless Governor Sanwo-Olu undertake immediate assessment of the progress of works and ensure proper implementation.
“” It would be recalled that a CSO Group, under the aegis of Joint Youth Progressive Alliance (JYPA) had raised concerns regarding the channelisation projects being sloppily implemented.
“”Hence , the renewed call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to investigate and correct prevailing anomalies.””
