The Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Mr Dayo Alebiosu, has said the state’s waterfront development agenda is anchored on law, clear vision and effective planning, not politics or personal connections.
Alebiosu made this known during an interactive session with journalists in the Maryland area of Lagos, where he stressed that decisions in the waterfront sector are guided by competence, intent and long-term value.
According to him, waterfront development is a highly technical space that requires strict adherence to legal frameworks and planning principles, warning against attempts to politicise professional appointments and policy decisions.
“Waterfront is a technical space. Our focus is on law, planning and development. It is not about politics or where anyone comes from,” the commissioner said.
He noted that opportunities for development exist across the state and should be approached with vision rather than suspicion, adding that successful projects are products of deliberate planning and sustained investment.
“There is water in Kosofe. If development can happen in Ilashe, it can happen elsewhere,” Alebiosu said, citing Ilashe as an example of an area transformed through purposeful planning and infrastructure investment.
The commissioner disclosed that the state government is making plans to construct a new jetty in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, while other dilapidated jetties across the state will be renovated in 2026 as part of efforts to improve water transportation and waterfront infrastructure.
He also addressed concerns surrounding a proposed housing scheme on 16.9 hectares of reclaimed land in Oworonshoki, adjoining the Third Mainland Bridge, clarifying that the project has no connection with the recent urban regeneration activities that led to the demolition of some structures in the area.
Alebiosu explained that the demolition was not carried out by his ministry, dismissing insinuations linking the housing project to the exercise. However, he noted that a general clean-up of Oworonshoki remains important in order to curb criminal activities and improve safety in the area.
The commissioner, a former member of the House of Representatives, said his approach to governance is centred on long-term impact rather than short-term political gains.
“The mind is the most fertile ground in the world; whatever you drop there will grow,” he said, emphasising the importance of forward-thinking leadership.
Alebiosu further underscored the need to clearly separate humanitarian interventions from political interests, explaining that genuine assistance should be discreet, evidence-based and focused on real needs.
“I prefer quiet humanitarian interventions to public display. Why would you come to me privately for help and then I turn around to publicise it? That does not make sense to me,” he said.
He added that the state now adopts a collective and evidence-driven approach to assistance, involving fundraising, direct engagement and verification to ensure that support is provided to those who genuinely need it.
“We now raise funds collectively, engage directly and ask for proof that the need is real,” Alebiosu said.
The commissioner urged journalists and members of the public to engage constructively, discouraging deliberate provocation and destructive criticism, while welcoming informed and solution-driven feedback.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to lawful waterfront development, responsible governance and interventions driven by accountability, integrity and long-term value.