“I Have 35 Years Concession”
Following the eviction of Tarzan Marine Enterprise from Badore and Ijede jetties by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), its Managing Director, Mr. Gani S. Balogun has revealed how he stopped the former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu from closing down the agency in 2006.
During an exclusive interview with MMS Plus, Tarzan boss, Balogun narrated how Tinubu had threatened to close down the Lagos State Waterways Authority as well as the Lagos State Ferry Services as a result of the inefficiency of the state water transport system.
“I was in my office when the General Manager, Lagos State Ferry Services Capt. Taiwo and the woman leader of boat operators came appealing to me to take up the projects because they knew I had boats to use at the jetties. At that time, Tinubu had threatened to close down the Lagos State Ferry Services since the water transport system wasn’t viable”
Balogun who is also the President of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transportation of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), showed MMS Plus all documents of his receipts as well as letters of approval he had received for the lease of Badore and Ijede jetties.
“Is LASWA saying I went to their office to remove their documents? It’s a big question that must be answered. If they can’t verify it in their office, does this mean someone removed the documents?” Balogun asked rhetorically.
One of the letters from the Lagos State Ferry Services with Reference Number: FSC/274/Vol. III/10 and dated 28th May, 2006 read, “I am directed to convey the approval of your application for lease of jetties and terminal building at Badore and Ijede by His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor of Lagos state. I am to further inform you that your request for 25 (Twenty-five) years lease is also approved. The approval is for immediate implementation. You are to issue a draft to balance the initial deposit of N1.5million. The outstanding balance is (N2,250,000) Two million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira only to Lagos State Ferry Services Corporation”.
Another letter the Lagos State Ferry Services with Reference number: FSC/275/Vol.I/11 and dated 21st November, 2006 read, “I am directed to convey the approval of your application for lease of jetties, ferry terminal s and all existing facilities at Oke- Ira Nla via Ajah and Ibeshe (Ikorodu) by His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor of Lagos state. I am to further inform you that your request for twenty-five (25) years lease at the rate of N100, 000 = per annum is approved. You are to issue a bank draft of N2,500,000 (Two million, five hundred thousand naira) to Lagos State Ferry Services Corporation. The leasehold covers the use of jetties, ferry terminals and all existing facilities therein at both sides”.
Both letters were signed by L.A Adeniyi for the General Manager, Lagos State Ferry Services.
A seperate letter from the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) with Reference number: NIWA/CLA.041/1/79a and dated 6th January, 2009 read, “We refer to your application to use the Right of Way of Navigable waterways at Ijede Foreshore, Ijede, LCDA, and your payment of the approved fees and hereby convey the approval of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to your company to use the Right of Way at the location described above.
This permit is empowered by the enabling law N-47 LFN 2004 vested on the Authority and given subject to the following terms and conditions:i. Your operation must not obstruct nagivational activities on the waterways; Liability of any induced adverse effect such as bank regime destabilization e.t.c shall be the sole responsibility of your company; Use of Right of Way shall not exceed the approved delineated areas on submitted survey plan; This permit is to GANI- TARZAN MARINE ENTERPRISES (NIG) LIMITED, and shall not be capable of being assigned to a third party”.
Tarzan MD, Balogun stated that he had initially paid for a 10 year concession period before subsequently asking to pay for 50 years in order to put more efforts and resources.
“I asked for 50 years but the GM said his office could only give 25 years so they wrote me a letter that the governor had approved my request for 25 years. I paid and they gave me these receipts as well as a letter confirming that I had secured the place until 2031” Balogun narrated as he showed each document to the MMS Plus correspondent.
Meanwhile, Balogun also revealed that LASWA officials waylaid his jetty at Ikoyi, last week and seized all properties at the jetty including vehicles belonging to private individuals that were parked at the premises.
“LASWA MD, Abisola Kamson also wrote a petition against me and I have been summoned to meet with the Chairman Task Force on Environment and Special Offences” he added.
In a statement by LASWA’s Managing Director, Abisola Kamson, the state government said that Tarzan was served an eviction notice on its operation in Ijede and Badore jetties as they could not validate their claims of a purported 25 years concession which the operator alleged to have entered with the government in 2006.
According to Kamson, the previous administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola had investigated the claim by setting up a Task Force in 2010 to validate the claim that they had made two payments totaling N2.1million to the defunct Lagos State Ferry Services for a 25 years concession, but the claims could not be validated.
As events continue to unfold, one remains in the dark as to the crime Tarzan is alleged to have committed. Did he forge documents or has he committed environmental offences? These are the questions being asked by Lagosians.
By Kenneth Jukpor
