.As Sanwo-Olu signs Electricity Bill 2024 into law
IBRAHIM QUADRI
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday handed over cheques worth N1.5billion to some landowners whose properties were evacuated to accommodate infrastructures across the State.
The presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of land acquired for overriding public purpose in Lagos took place at Adeyemi Bero, Alausa, Ikeja.
Sanwo-Olu declared, “Today marks more than just the disbursement of compensation; it is a powerful testament to the partnership between citizens and government—a partnership that shapes a future of shared prosperity.
“By honouring this commitment, we reaffirm our unwavering dedication to building a Lagos that serves and uplifts all its people.
“As a government, we deeply value the support and trust, you, our respected landowners, have extended to our development initiatives. Your spirit of cooperation reflects a shared vision for a greater Lagos, where growth and inclusivity go hand in hand.
“This occasion represents more than compensation—it symbolizes our commitment to transforming Lagos State’s socio-economic landscape. The lands we acquire are not just properties but vital resources for establishing critical infrastructure, fostering sustainable growth, and ensuring every resident of Lagos benefits from equitable development.
“From hospitals to schools, housing to roads, these lands become the foundation upon which we build a brighter future.
“By prioritizing essential infrastructure and community-focused projects, we are improving access to services, enhancing connectivity, and laying the groundwork for a resilient and thriving Lagos.
“Over the past few years, our administration has taken bold strides to translate these acquired lands into impactful initiatives. From constructing healthcare facilities that provide life-saving services to schools that nurture young minds and transportation systems that connect communities, each project reflects our vision of inclusive growth. For example, our ongoing hospital projects promise to deliver timely, quality healthcare to thousands annually, while our transportation expansion initiatives are driving efficiency and boosting productivity across the State.”
He urged the beneficiaries to use the compensation judiciously, noting “Invest in ventures that yield long-term benefits for you and your families. By doing so, you not only secure your future but also honor the spirit of partnership that has brought us here today.”
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago stated, “It is our hope that the funds you receive today will empower you and secure a future filled with opportunities and progress for you and your families. This gesture is not just about compensation; it is a reaffirmation of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to supporting its citizens and ensuring that our urban and infrastructural development projects contribute meaningfully to the lives of all Lagosians.
While thanking Governor Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to ensuring that those affected by the transformative projects are duly recognized and compensated, he urged all stakeholders to continue on the “path of cooperation, progress, and shared prosperity, ensuring that our State grows not only in infrastructure but in the wellbeing and happiness of every Lagosian.”
.as Sanwo-Olu signs Lagos electricity bill into law
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday signed the Lagos Electricity Bill 2024 into law.
The governor signed the bill at the Lagos House, Ikeja.
The law is a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing challenges in the energy sector and is expected to lay the foundation for economic and industrial growth in the State.
“The bill is a major step by the state government to ensure a 24-hour electricity supply to every corner of the state, following the Federal Government’s approval for states to generate and distribute energy in 2023,” said the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, on X.
This move is expected to reduce the state’s dependency on the national grid.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of the bill in transforming Lagos into a global city with a reliable and uninterrupted power supply.
In November, the Lagos State Government called on independent power producers and energy solution firms to submit bids for the construction of gas-fired power plants to bridge the state’s persistent electricity gap.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in partnership with the Office of Public-Private Partnerships, made the call for the initiative to enhance Lagos’s power supply through the Clean Lagos Electricity Market.
The announcement was jointly made by the Commissioner of the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, and the Special Adviser of the Office of Public-Private Partnerships, Bukola Odoe.
