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NIGERIA has released a parcel of land and waterfront adjoining the American Consulate on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, to the United States (U.S.) embassy.
NIGERIA has released a parcel of land and waterfront adjoining the American Consulate on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, to the United States (U.S.) embassy.
The gesture will enable the embassy extend the Consulate's perimeter fence into the waterfront.
A top source at the U.S. embassy told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja at the weekend that the gesture was to make for greater security and enhance the welfare of thousands of people who daily throng the embassy for one business or the other.
The source, who confirmed that embassy and government officials were discussing the details, said the move would "basically involve the extension of the perimeter fence at the embassy into the immediate waterfront bordering the embassy.
Nigerian foreign affairs officials declined comment on the development but the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Dr. Hakeem Baba-
Ahmed, confirmed receiving the American request.
"We have agreed in principle to grant their request in the interest of greater security and comfort. The details are being worked out.
"It is Federal Government property and the request is legitimate. There is merit in it and we have no reason to oppose it," he declared.
Baba-Ahmed said that government had agreed to concede a sizeable amount of additional land and some element of the waterfront to expand its scope for better welfare and security.
The Americans shut down their consular office in June, citing a security alert. However, its Ambassador John Campbell later said the alert emanated from Washington, NAN said.
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