Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged to restore order and improve infrastructure in Ibeshe, Ilashe and Takwa Bay, describing the coastal corridor as a future hub for tourism and economic activity.

The governor made the commitment on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the area, accompanied by senior state officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders.

Sanwo-Olu said the visit was aimed at assessing the challenges residents face and identifying opportunities for sustainable development.
“We are bringing life back into this community, but more importantly, we are restoring order, sanity and a proper understanding of livelihoods,” he said.

He noted that the corridor, located between the Atlantic Ocean and Lagos Lagoon within a 1.5km stretch, holds significant tourism potential.
“This entire stretch represents the future we must preserve. Government cannot fold its arms. We will intervene, support and regulate so that development occurs in an orderly way,” he added.

The governor expressed concern over indiscriminate construction and violations of building regulations.
“There are clear setback lines from the ocean that people have ignored, and this cannot continue,” he warned.

Sanwo-Olu revealed that the state, through the Physical Planning Authority and other agencies, would begin an enumeration exercise to regularise development and protect local communities.
“We will take inclusive decisions on how to regularise, how to give titles, and how to ensure locals are not disadvantaged. It has to be a win-win situation for everyone,” he said.

He explained that the plan includes providing essential services such as hospitals, shopping centres, fuel stations and security posts to create a balanced live-work environment.
“We want to create an ecosystem where people can live, work and thrive. Nothing will be left undone to ensure residents prosper,” he assured.

On tourism, Sanwo-Olu stressed that the state would act as an enabler to unlock the area’s potential.
“These communities lie between the ocean and the lagoon. The location makes it an attractive choice for tourism. We see the opportunities here and will not allow them to go to waste,” he said.

He praised the cooperation of traditional rulers and residents during the tour and reiterated that the government’s intervention would be guided by inclusiveness and sustainability.