Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu promised the wood dealers that the protracted wait for the anticipated transfer of Oko Baba saw millers from Ebute Metta, Lagos Mainland, to a proposed permanent site in Agbowa, would end in December.
While touring Agbowa-Ikosi Timberville in the Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Tuesday to assess the degree of construction there, the Governor provided the assurance.
While Babatunde Fashola was governor, the State Government began to construct Timberville.
After that, the project was put on hold, casting doubt over what would happen to the saw millers in Oko Baba.
By getting the contractor back on the job site, Sanwo-Olu went back to the project.
The saw millers were ecstatic about the new construction and their leader, Alh. Abdul-Ganiu Onikeku, went on the tour with the governor.
The Governor also visited a 1,500 tonnes per hour brickette plant that the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) had built on the property.
This plant will allow the conversion of mill waste into combustible brick materials for industrial use.
The Governor was joined by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the State Government updated the project’s authorised design to include extra facilities for the convenience of the wood dealers in Timberville.
He said that 160 two-bedroom apartments had been finished for the residents’ housing, and that office buildings had been set up for administrative functions.
“We are pleased that our own Government has brought back this project, even though it has been on hold for years,” he added.
To get it to a usable state, a lot of resources have been used.
We have 160 finished two-bedroom apartments as part of the facilities we have set up for future Oko Baba saw millers that may move here.
We have also constructed workplaces in their varied hues.
The brickette plant facility, another amenity constructed on this property, will be operated by LAWMA.
“The Oko Baba Saw Millers’ Association’s officials are enthusiastic and ready to move to the location.
Where ships will dock, ship piles have been constructed.
The only remaining tasks are to set up a police station and a fire department, as well as to clear the trailer way for the saw millers.
To guarantee that we can all shout Hallelujah and get everyone down here by the end of this year, we are making more cash available to the contractor in this respect.
Although the road has been exceedingly lengthy, our government is dedicated to ending the protracted wait.
The Governor emphasised that the continuing building of a bridge crossing on-site caused a delay in the construction of the road, which is a 3 km access route from the major highway to the site.
Alternative highways, according to Sanwo-Olu, have been finished to allow for the saw millers’ easy migration.
He stated that as soon as the crossing bridge is finished, the access road would be paved.
Sanwo-Olu said that the government will begin moving the saw millers once the facilities were set up.
He emphasised that his government has the political will to finish the project and relocate the residents.
“They are waiting on us to clean up and make sure that Timberville is completely livable for them,” the governor added.
According to their arrangement with the saw millers, they are prepared to go.
Even while we have the political will to make sure this relocation happens, we don’t want to relocate our folks to an area that isn’t yet ready.
“The Oko Oba saw millers have cooperated with the government and worked diligently with us to guarantee that everything needed is delivered.
Although the road has been exceedingly lengthy, our government is dedicated to ending the protracted wait.
The Timberville project may have been finished, according to Onikeku, president of the Lagos Mainland Sawmillers Association, except for the dispute over the project’s design, which caused it to be abandoned.
“All of us are glad that Gov. Sanwo-Olu has revitalised this project after it was abandoned for a long time,” he remarked.
The design was not carried out in accordance with our agreement, which is one of the reasons we did not support the previous administration.
This has been changed, and the new design incorporates our suggestions.
“Our guys will not be sent here to play a game of ludo; they are coming to chop down trees, and we will utilise the facilities wisely.
We want to thank the governor and his deputy for listening to our requests to resurrect the project when we spoke with them about the development.