…Says Coy Signed 25 Years Approved Lease Agreement With Lagos State
… We Invested Over N5b On Jetties
…To Drag LASWA To Federal High Court
…Water Transport Passengers May Be Stranded If…
Hundreds of passengers using boats to connect other parts of Lagos from Badore and Ijede jetties area of the state may be stranded at these facilities following an eviction notice issued to the operator of the Jetties; Tarzan Marine Enterprises despite a 25 lease agreement duly approved by Lagos State Government.
The Managing Director, Tarzan Marine Enterprises, Mr Tarzan Ganiyu Balogun, who Briefed journalists in Lagos on the eviction order issued by the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority(LASWA), stated that the company had invested over N5billion on these jetties, an investment he described as very huge.
Balogun stated that the lease agreement between the company and Lagos state followed due process and was duly approved by the Lagos state government under the leadership of the former governor Bola Tinubu
Narrating how it all began, the Managing Director stated that in 2004, Tarzan Marine Enterprises applied to the Lagos Ferry Service Corporation to manage ferry services and provide boat services to the rural communities in state having garnered experience spanning over 30 in the management of water transportation in the state.
He added that based on the company’s years of experience ,it was invited by the then Lagos State governor through the Commissioner of Transport ,Mr Muiz Banire ,now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN)to take over the abandoned jetties in Badire,Ijede, Oke Ira Nla and Ibeshe.
Source :www.tarzanmarine.com
He further explained that these jetties were located in unfriendly and waterlogged area of the state and that no sane investor with eyes for quick returns would dare to touch the infrastructure.
He added that then the state literally encouraged and begged him to revive these places and give the rural people, who travel over six hours on the road to get to Victoria Island and other parts of the city.
The Managing Director, who is also the President of the Boat Operators, stated that as a responsible and patriotic Lagosian and a lover of development,the company applied for an initial lease for 10 years and that the company later increased the lease life span application to 25 years, adding it was approved and that the company paid for it fully.
Balogun hinted that about three years ago the state government through LASWA and under the leadership of the then Governor Babatunde Fashola invited the company to explain certain grey areas in the lease agreement .
He disclosed that the directive of Fashola was that the company should be investigated and that if found guilty it should be prosecuted for using the state’s infrastructure without payment and due diligence.
The Managing Director further disclosed that after investigation, he was not found wanting but that his name was never cleared from the mess.
He said that surprisingly on May 16, 2016, LASWA wrote to the company directing it to quit Badire,Ijede, Oke Ira Nla and Ibeshe jetties, which the company had earlier been investigated for by Fashola led administration.
He stated based on this letter, the company wrote to the Managing Director of LASWA, Abisola Kamson to explain the lease agreement and that despite presenting her with all the relevant documents and receipts, she insisted that the company must vacate the jetties with immediate effect.
The Tarzan Marine Enterprises Boss wondered why the same government would not only be double speaking but also would invalidate a lease agreement duly approved by its predecessors.
He added that the company invested over N5 billion on these jetties, wondering why the government would want to push the company out of business overnight after investing heavily.
Balogun posited that apart of bringing the issue to court of public opinion, the company has resolved to drag LASWA to the Federal High Court to determine if the quit notice issued the company is justified in view of the huge investment the company had invested on these projects.
The letter announcing the eviction by LASWA dated May 16, 2016, signed by Kamson and made available to abelnews.com reads,”This eviction letter is notify you of His Excellency, The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, directives that the purported 25 years lease granted to tour company Messrs Gani Tarzan on Lagos State owned jetties; Badore East, Ijede, Oke Ira Nla and Ibeshe remains invalidated and no new lease agreement has been signed.”
It continued, “In this regard, you are hereby informed to immediately vacate the fore-mentioned jetties and desist from any and all claims of ownership or concession to these jetties.”
In his words, “In weeks to come our lawyers will do all in their powers to prove to the world that we have been victimised ,intimidated, harassed by a government that wants to create a land of hope and justice for all and sundry.”
According to him, “We regret to announce that the eviction notice is a strong sign that Lagos state government has no regard to its claims as an investment destination.”
