The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olayinka Olumide has raised concerns over a report attributed to him by section of media in which he was wrongly credited with a statement suggesting that Lagos State was set for a second private refinery following confirmed talks with new investors.
According to a statement by Mr. Mukaila Sanusi, the Ministry Director Public Affairs, the Commissioner made the clarification that he neither make such comments nor at any time granted an interview or issued a statement relating to refinery development, petroleum investments, or investor negotiations.
Dr. Olumide in the statement explained that the statutory mandate of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, especially in relations to Infrastructure development, was clear and unambiguous as it involves land – use, planning and control, including zoning regulations, layout approvals, and processing of physical planning and development permits for projects, in line with approved master plans and extant planning laws.
He stressed that while any major infrastructure project, including a refinery was subject to planning approval and zoning compliance, decision, on investment promotion, project initiation, or sector – specific policy pronouncements fell outside the Ministry’s scope of responsibility.
The statement further disclosed that the Commissioner described the attribution of statement on refinery Investment discussions to him as inaccurate, misleading, unprofessional, and called on media organisations to uphold accuracy, ethics and proper verifications when reporting on government activities.
He concluded by urging members of the public to disregard the report, noting that all official communications emanating from the Ministry would be issued continuously through recognised and authorized channels.
