Victor Ezeja
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has directed Lagos and other states across the federation to stop approving coastal islands without approval of the Federal Government.
Tinubu gave the directive on Thursday in Lagos while commissioning the Lekki Deep-seaport access road.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe president stressed the need for coordinated planning to safeguard vital infrastructure and threatened to revoke approvals granted for existing road setbacks without consulting the federal government.
He called on governors to work together with the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Works before granting approvals for coastal developments.
“Our dear governors, let’s work together, don’t give planning approvals without collaborating with the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Works on these roads,” Tinubu stated.
Speaking directly to the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who was present at the event, Tinubu said: “Take it that we will revoke all those approvals given on setbacks, and please note that we are very serious about it, no more approvals for those unapproved islands being created illegally.”
Tinubu stated that uncontrolled land reclamation and the formation of illegal islands pose a threat to long-term infrastructure planning and the objectives of national development.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Commissions Completed 30km Section Of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Hails Umahi, Contractors
He urged the acquisition of stable setbacks for future expansion and better road infrastructure, saying, “This legacy project must be protected.”
Commenting on the Lekki Dee Sea Port Access Road project, which he initiated as Lagos State governor, the Nigerian leader described it as a key infrastructure that will boost logistics efficiency and economic returns.
Tinubu commended the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, for his large investments in the area, calling the Dangote Petroleum Refinery a “massive investment” that shows faith in Nigeria’s future.
On his part, Aliko Dangote said the establishment of the Lekki Free Trade Zone during Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos State Governor laid the foundation for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
“It gives me immense pleasure to welcome Your Excellency on your visit to the Dangote Refinery and Petroleum Chemicals Complex, and also to commission Deep Sea, Concrete Road, and other roads which you graciously approved,” Dangote stated.
“I must emphasise that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery Complex is, in many ways, your brainchild. The Lekki Free Trade Zone, the site of this industrial complex, was established during your tenure as Governor of Lagos. Today, you are witnessing the tangible fruits of that vision. You are a visionary leader.”
He commended Tinubu’s administration for initiating the “Naira-for-crude” policy, which allows the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira, describing it as “historic.”
He added that the ‘Naira-for-crude’ policy is a clear testament to the Tinubu administration’s commitment to economic recovery and national sovereignty.
“This bold policy has enabled us at Dangote Petroleum Refinery to reduce product prices consistently and guarantee availability for the overall benefit of Nigerians,” the business magnate emphasised.
Speaking further on the impact of the ‘Naira-for-crude’, the President of Dangote Group, stated that apart from strengthening the value of the naira, it has also helped to make fuel prices cheaper in Nigeria than in other parts of the West African region.
“Some may think that petrol at less than ₦900 is expensive, but there is nowhere in West Africa where petrol is not selling above $1 — that’s ₦1,600,” Dangote stated.
“This policy has also helped significantly in stabilising prices of petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, and polypropylene to their lowest levels ever,” he added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
