‘Citizens will benefit more from TBS, Lagos Federal Secretariat concessioning’

FOLLOWING statements credited to the former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande recently that the Federal authorities should return two landmark property – Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and old Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi to the state government, the concessionaires have kicked against the view, saying that citizens will benefit more from the deal.

Messrs BHS International Limited, and Resort International Limited, the concessionaires for TBS and old Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, respectively believed that it would be wrong to concede the property to Lagos after the landmark buildings have been disposed off through a competitive bidding process.

Jakande was also among eminent Lagosians, led by Oba Rilwan Akiolu that are insisting that the Federal Government should reverse the leasing of the properties. Oba Akiolu and the likes of the pioneer governor of the Centre of Excellence, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, former governor late Michael Agbolade Otedola and Alhaji Femi Okunnu, a one-time Federal Works Commissioner, Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo, the Baba Adinni of Nigeria, De-Whenu Ahoha Menu-Toyi, the Akran of Badagry, Chief Amzat Beyioku Adebowale, chairman of Adebowale Electrical Industries Limited, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, the Asoju Oba of Lagos and Alhaji Musiliu Smith, a former Inspector-General of Police, wanted the federal government to stop the lease hold.

They and more than 30 other eminent Lagosians had said that since the Federal Government no longer required the properties which sit on plots acquired from the state government for overriding public use, it is only reasonable for the central administration to give the properties back to the state government or give it the preference of acquiring them than private companies or individuals.

Reawakening their demand, Jakande in an interview with The Guardian said: “What we should do is to dialogue with the Federal Government to leave these structures for Lagos as they are preferably Lagos property. We should appeal to whoever is involved in the business of selling them. Why selling them when Lagos is capable of procuring them even with a fee?

“Besides, some of these institutions have become identified with Lagos. I appeal to those who want to do the selling to think more about the interest of Lagos State. We are not a very big state, but there are opportunities for us to use these institutions to uplift Lagos State.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), BHS International Otunba Olu Adenodi, agreed that Alhaji Jakande is right for his passion for Lagos interest, noted that the citizens will benefit from the concession than allowing controversy tie down the facilities.
According to Adenodi, who spoke with The Guardian on telephone said the issue has gone beyond mere sentiments.
“We had taken the most legitimate steps as concessionaire of the TBS, with a lot of resources ploughed into its redevelopment. We have been doing everything possible to let the stakeholders see reasons with the initiative, but it appears we are not succeeding, partly because of political differences between Lagos and the federal government.

“But now that the political situation has changed, we believe that good reasoning will take precedence over sentiments”, said Adenodi.

Hea added that Section 47 of Land Use act has taking care of whatever controversy that hitherto, ensued over the project. According to him, the picture will soon become clearer immediately the federal executive council is put in place.Quoting part of the section in Land Use Act, that stated as follows: “It has been said that the bedrock of federalism lies in the ability of each tier of government to be master of its own domain. But under the Land Use Act, the ubiquitous Act overrides State laws on Land in their domain, even when such land is not previously vested in the Federal Government or any of its agencies.

“Some commentators have said that creation of a Trust relationship all over the civilised world is a voluntary act of its creator, that it is an office of confidence and strict accountability. A trusteeship is an office of very high fiduciary responsibility, which can never or should never be assumed by force of arms as under the Land Use Act, at its promulgated as a Decree;

“Here lies the fallacy of this fake trusteeship created under Section 1 of the Land Use Act. It is, indeed, a monstrous situation, to enact a Trust, without accountability, because Section 47 of the Act ousts the jurisdiction of the courts concerning the most germane aspects of the Act and its implementation”.

Similarly, Resort International officials are optimistic that things would soon be resolved and that activities will commence at the sprawling complex.

Describing the delay in the redevelopment as “unfortunate”, a senior management with Resort International, said political consideration during the immediate past administration caused the delay.

According to the source, “people with vested interest” created the problem that hindered the concession to go on smoothly. However, The Guardian learnt that the current administration is favourably disposed to the review of the existing concessions.

“Immediately the federal executive council is in place, most of the concession would be reviewed, because no0t doing so will definitely scare foreign investors, especially, those who are ready to partner Nigeria in her pursuit of economic and infrastructure renaissance”, he said.