Some local residents have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to provide details regarding the sale of land in the Lekki Free Trade Zone to Aliko Dangote, the owner of the Dangote Refinery.
During a visit by the leadership of the House of Representatives on July 21, Dangote disclosed that he paid $100 million to acquire approximately 7,000 acres of land for his $20 billion refinery.
This contradicts claims that the land was given to him for free as an incentive or was allocated at a subsidized rate.
Under the aegis of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, the indigenes, in a letter signed by its president, Adelani Adeniji-Adele, and the secretary general, said they were “bewildered on why the notice of the purchase was not brought to the attention of government and how the money was expended without the members of the public being carried along or benefiting from it, particularly the host communities in Ibeju-Lekki.”
“On the basis of the foregoing, we hereby demand information of the allegation and detailed information on how the money was expended and the account that was used to receive the money,” said the group.
The group added, “Sir, Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, provides that, where information is applied for under this Act, the public institution to which the application is made shall, subject to sections 6,7 and 8 of this Act, within (7) days, after the application is received, make the information available to the Applicant.”
“Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, provides as follows: (1) Where the government or public institution fails to give access to a record or information applied for under this Act that it relates to and that the applicant has a right to challenge the decision refusing access and have it reviewed by a court.”
The group threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the matter or seek a court order of Mandamus against Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s government if they did not respond within seven days.
(Peoplesgazette)
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