Lagos State Government has assured stakeholders in the film industry that it has not deviated from its commitment to the film Village project, saying that the initiative is still on course.
The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, gave the assurance last week when she visited the proposed project site at Ikosi-Ejirin area of the State.
The Commissioner, who was accompanied by some officials of the Ministry during the visitation, also paid a courtesy call on the Elejirin of Ejirin land, Oba Adetoyese Ejalonibu, at his palace to restate the commitment of government to the initiative.
She said the Ministry decided to visit the project site in order to interact with the leaders of the community and reassure them of the government's commitment to the project.
"Governor Sanwo-Olu is very particular about entertainment and tourism, being one of the priority areas for his administration and he will ensure that no stone is left unturned in order to advance his lofty plans for stakeholders in the entertainment and tourism sector", Akinbile-Yussuf reassured.
She described the project as a multi-billion naira project targeted at addressing a myriad of challenges confronting stakeholders in the creative and film industry, adding that there is a need due diligence on the project towards ensuring it sees the light of the day.
"We all know that this project will gulp a huge sum from the government, which is why the State Government has been deliberate in its plans and very careful in engaging partners for the development of the project. The government will not only build a Film Village but would also put in place a world-class infrastructure within the village that can favourably compete with similar initiatives globally", the Commissioner said.
The traditional ruler in the community, the Elejirin of Ejirin land, Oba Adetoyese Ejalonibu, said that he was pleased to receive the Commissioner and her entourage in his palace alongside some of his chiefs.
He assured the Commissioner that the 100 hectares of land earmarked for the project was intact and promised that the community would resist any encroachment on the land.
The Monarch also narrated the personal efforts he had made in looking for private investors for the project, informing that some expatriate investors had already signified interest in the project through his personal contact.
He, therefore, pledged the Community's support and solicited that the government should carry residents along as the project progresses.
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