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Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

  • Ambode restates commitment to workers welfare

    The Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has reiterated his commitment towards the welfare of servicing and retired public servants in the state.

    The governor gave this assurance at a public forum at the weekend. The event was at the seminar for teachers preparing for retirement.

    While declaring the event opened, Governor Ambode, who impressed on the prospective retirees to look forward to retirement with joy, assured that his administration will remain committed to the continuous wellbeing of Lagos state civil servants, including those in active service and pensioners.

    “Life after retirement is a time every employee should look forward to. The process of having a peaceful life in retirement is to have an active work life. You must plan ahead,” Governor Ambode stressed.

    According to the governor who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Segun Banjo, said, “This administration is resolute in ensuring that life in retirement of our public servants is not miserable.”

    Expatiating, he said, “Since the inception of this administration in addition to paying staff salaries of civil service, we have also prioritise the payment of terminal benefits for retirees, pensions and gratuities alike. To ensure that the life of retired civil service is sweet we have two offices attending to the workers welfare including the Lagos State Civil Service Pensions office and the Lagos State Pensions Commission (LASPEC). This is to make life easy for both active and retired civil servants.”

    Speaking earlier, Dr. Ganiyu Oluremi Sopeyin, Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said workers, especially those who have served meritoriously usually look forward to retirement. This, he said can only be made possible if such workers planned for their retirement in earnest.

    “Workers need to be financially prudent and ensure that they do not spend all during their years in service rather they should spend what is left after savings,’’ the SUBEB boss said.

    The seminar tagged: ‘Life after retirement,’ was facilitated by Entreprenovate Nigeria business magazine.

    A cross-section of speakers including: Mr. Awojobi Adekunjo, Manager, Leadway Assurance Ltd, Mr. Deji Adeyemo, Simon Ewurogbe and Mr Wale Ajisafe also offered useful insights on how to prepare for life after retirement.

  • Ambode calls for private sector participation to boost water transportation

    To ease traffic congestion

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed his administration’s commitment to provide critical infrastructure and enabling environment for investors and the private sector to participate in the ongoing efforts to boost water transportation in the state.

    Ambode made the promise at a Roundtable on Water Transportation organised by the State Government under the auspices of the ministry of transportation which held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island on Friday.

    The governor said he wants the private sector to own the state economy because that is the only way to grow the Gross Domestic Product, GDP of the state.

    Critical stakeholders/strategic partners who were part of the Roundtable include: United Passengers Waterways Association; University of Lagos; The Good Beverage Recycling Alliance; United States Mission in Nigeria, Trade and Investment Department of British High Commission, South Africa government, Paramount Maritime Holdings of South Africa etc.

    Ambode said though the water transportation sector had been left unattended to over the years it, however, remains critical to solving the traffic congestion problem affecting the State.

    Adding that the State Government was now committed more than before to fully harness the potentials of the water transportation to the benefit of the people and economic prosperity of the State.

    The chaotic traffic situation in some parts of the State in recent times and the pressure on the road with attendant danger to lives and property according to him made the need to forge ahead with the reforms in the water sector being championed by his administration even more compelling.

    According to him, “The question to ask is what has brought us to this despicable situation so to speak where the only mode of transportation for over 22million people is road and the road itself is chaotic. In the last three years, we have been fighting traffic and unfortunately in the last two weeks, we have seen what has happened in Apapa and what we have been trying to do. Just about three weeks ago, we saw what happened with regards to the Otedola Bridge disaster and then the carnage, as well as the inability of government to provide for the needs of the people.

    “So, among the over 22 million people, almost 8 million are walking on the streets every second and at the same time, 86 people enter into Lagos every one hour according to United Nations statistics for 2016 which is the largest in the world. So, if other states are failing, more people are going to be coming to Lagos and that means maybe right now, there are 120 people entering Lagos not wanting to go back and the only mode of transportation we have for them is just the road and that is why we are coming up with other modes.

    Read Also: Ambode plans facelift for Maracana Stadium

    “1/5th of Lagos is water. We have the smallest geographical space of 3,577 square kilometers in Nigeria with 25 per cent of that being water. So, you are asking yourself that why in the history of Lagos and in the history of Nigeria, that we did not just think of other modes of transportation and what really went wrong?”

    While reeling the benefits of water transportation especially to traffic management, the Governor said it was instructive to note that being surrounded by water, many parts of the State could be connected within few minutes.

    “I was in Apapa and I look at the gridlock and it made sense to me that it is just five minutes ride between Apapa and Marina and so the question is can’t we create barges that take our cars officially and then push them there in just five minutes and so in no time everybody is in their offices instead of going through the traffic?

    “Between Badore and Ikorodu is just ten minutes. So, we lay off people on Ikorodu axis. This is something that has been waiting for a long time and I just think this is the right time for us to do it because those coming behind us will not forgive us if we don’t take advantage of all the things we need to do to develop water transportation,” the Governor said, adding that major channelization projects, shoreline protection and jetties, among others were currently being constructed as part of efforts to boost the sector.

    He said in addition to efforts ongoing, the roundtable was basically to come up with sustainable framework to boost water transportation and encourage people to adopt it as alternative to other modes of transportation.

    While wooing investors to take advantage of the reforms in the water sector, the Governor said it was instructive that in the last 36 months, more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) came into the State largely due to transparency and credibility to encourage investors, assuring that his administration would continually create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawanson said the essence of the roundtable was to evolve effective framework in partnership with the private sector and relevant stakeholders to play up water transportation in Lagos with the view to diverting a lot of pressure currently on the roads to water.

    Also speaking, a major player in the sector, Mr Ganiyu Balogun, who is the Managing Director of Tarzan Ferry Services, commended Governor Ambode for his commitment to rev up water transportation and harness it’s potentials for the benefit of the people.

    He said stakeholders were aware of the challenges in the sector and were willing to partner with the State Government to address the issues in the overall benefit of the State.

    There were also presentations at the event by University of Lagos, United States Mission in Nigeria, Trade and Investment Department of British High Commission and Paramount Maritime Holdings of South Africa, all expressing readiness to partner with the State Government to boost water transportation.

    Meanwhile, the State Government at the roundtable also sealed a major partnership with a consortium of multi-national companies, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, to rid the waterways and water bodies in the State of filth with specific focus on plastic waste.

    The agreement will also bring about the setting up of a world class collection and recycling framework for plastic waste in Lagos State.

    The consortium including Nigeria Bottling Company, Coca-Cola, 7-Up Bottling Company, Nestle and Nigerian Breweries, among others, will be investing in boats with capacity to collect waste from the waterways, thereby protecting the ecosystem and boosting water transportation.

  • Osinbajo assures on reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi expressway in two weeks

     Ambode shuts down illegal terminal in Ajegumle

    Orders removal of trucks in 24 hours

     

    Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the anticipated reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway would commence within the next two weeks as part of the Federal Government’s resolve to finding lasting solution to the chaos in the Apapa axis.

    Osinbajo spoke at a dialogue with stakeholders on the Apapa traffic congestion at the Officers Mess of the Western Naval Command in Apapa on Thursday.

    The Vice president was acccompanied by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, among others

    He said the Federal Government was already looking into the issue of infrastructural renewal, especially with the state of roads in Apapa, adding that approvals for the reconstruction of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and other major roads linking the Apapa Tincan Ports and tank farms would be concluded within the next two weeks.

    The VP, who also led others to inspect the Apapa axis, said there was no excuse on the part of the Federal Government on the state of affairs in the area, noting that aside the economic implications, it was also an important residential community that must be allowed to thrive.

    “We have been working quite hard now to get approval for road construction. Among the roads are the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and Mile 2- Liverpool roundabout which are important roads but they have been delayed but I am personally working to ensure that we could get that through and we are trying to look at immediate solutions that can be done and how the process could be expedited to achieve results.

    “I can guarantee that we will get all the approvals done. I don’t think that it should take us more than two weeks to get the approval so that we can begin the work. There are so many other bad areas, especially the coconut area in front of Tincan Port, the Leventis to Wharf Road is also another area we are looking at, the rehabilitation of the Creek Road so that we can have a two lane access into the ports and all of those are important roads and all of them are Federal roads, so we have a responsibility to ensure that these things are done,” Osinbajo said.

    On the situation with Ports across the country and the need to decongest the Apapa Tincan Ports, the Vice President listed insecurity as one of the major issues preventing the Ports in Port Harcourt, Warri, Onne, Calabar and others from operating, he however, added that the Federal Executive Council had recently approved a security arrangement in the Ports to enable them function optimally.

    “A few weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council approved a maritime security arrangement for all of those areas and that has already been deployed. So we expect that as soon as the security architecture is laid out, we should be able to use those Ports frequently and that would of course decongest the Apapa Tincan Ports,” Osinbajo said.

    Addressing other issues involving the movement of cargo from the Apapa Ports, the Vice President said the Federal Government was in talks with a concessionaire to rehabilitate the narrow gauge rail, which according to him, will aid the quick movement of goods pending the construction of a standard gauge.

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    “As Mr. President had directed, what I intend to do, is that we should meet as frequently as possible. We have already drawn up some roadmap and a check list of the various things that we need to do in the next couple of weeks to ensure that we are able to ease the situation around here and make it more decent for people to live in this community and work in this axis. It is important for us as a country and commercially also and we are definitely committed to making sure that it works,” Osinbajo said.

    Speaking shortly after an on-the-spot assessment in the Agejunle area, Governor Ambode wielded the big stick and ordered the immediate shutting down of Climax Bonded Terminal in Ajegunle, saying that their operation was not only illegal but also causing untold hardship to residents in the area.

    Ambode, who was saddened by the situation in the area shortly after an on-the-spot assessment, directed that the terminal and other adjoining areas be closed, while the trucks parked around the terminal be evacuated within the next 24 hours.

    He said that there was no record from the State Government showing that the operators of the terminal were authorised to convert the property for such purpose, warning that the State Government would not fold its arms and allow flagrant abuse of its building laws to the detriment and safety of residents.

    He said the decision to shut down the place was in furtherance to the need to protect residents from imminent dangers which such building portends, saying that the primary responsibility of the Government was to protect lives and property.

    “You guys are causing me a lot of havoc. So, as far as the Lagos State Government is concerned, Ajegunle remains a residential area. I have crosschecked from all the ministries and officials, there is no approval from the Physical Planning for you to use this neighbourhood which is residential as a bonded terminal and then I understand that you are extending to Awodiora.

    “I don’t want to do too much problem with your owner, but whoever is the owner would have to come to the Ministry of Physical Planning. I have the duty to protect all the citizens of Lagos State, I will not allow anything you have called Bonded Terminal to reside in a residential area and I need to protect my people,” Ambode said.

    Speaking further, the Governor said the presence of trucks parked on the single lane road in the Ajegunle axis was subjecting residents to long hours in traffic and other attendant menace to the environment.

    “It’s bad enough that the roads here are single lanes and then I’ve gone round the whole Ajegunle axis and I’ve seen all the trucks all over the place, so I take over all the places called bonded terminals in Ajegunle from this moment, I shut this place down and all the agencies concerned should take my instructions, I do not want to ever see this place opened again including all the other places that they have put the terminals and other places they have procured, I would not authorize any place that is residential as a Bonded Terminal.

    “Tell the Commissioner of Police, tell others, every person here must evacuate in the next 30 minutes and in all the other locations that they have put in place, they remain under lock and key until I say otherwise. Including Customs, including everybody, tell the CP and the Naval people, I don’t ever want to see it open again. All the trucks that I’ve seen across this axis, in the next 24 hours, I don’t want to ever see it here again and all the other places they have placed them, the Government Monitoring Unit and tell the Director DSS, I don’t want to see anybody here again. Whatever it is that they have put here, I would only open it when they are willing to take all these trucks away from here and that’s my instruction,” the Governor said.

    Also in his remarks at the dialogue with stakeholders, Ambode said the meeting was critical as the situation had become a national emergency that required all levels of government to work together to save the economy of the nation and also restore the glory of Apapa axis.

    “I want to reiterate my commitment to say that whatever it is that is assigned to me as part of the resolutions that Lagos State should do, we are committed to doing it and we would also cooperate with the Federal Government and every other stakeholder to make sure that we have a permanent solution to this Apapa crisis,” the Governor said.

  • Ambode urges corps members to report security risks

    Fresh set of corps members serving in Lagos State have been asked to help the government with security by reporting anything suspicious.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode gave this charge at the swearing in for Batch B Steam 1 Corps members at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, in Iyana Ipaja on Thursday.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Oluseye Oladejo, gave them toll-free lines that they could use to reach security agencies and emergency services.

    He said:” I implore you to key into our community security strategy of ‘if you see something, say something’ by calling our toll free lines, ‘767’ or ‘112’”.

    He described Lagos as a hospitable place for them to do their national service.

    While in camp for the three-week orientation programme, the Lagos State NYSC Coordinator, Prince Mohammed Momoh, said the 3,087 corps members would be exposed to security tips by experts.

    “We inculcate security consciousness in them right from the orientation. First they need to be secured during orientation before they go to the larger community. Part of what we do is we bring in security agencies to tell them about local and perculiar security issues in Lagos; and what to do to avoid falling victim of such,” he said.

    Momoh also said the NYSC does not post corps members to volatile areas for their safety.

    Read Also: Ambode commends ‘Home & You’ over furniture factory

    “We work with the security agencies to identify locations that have security challenges and we go all out to ensure that corps members are not posted to such communities because it it only I’m the atmosphere of peace that the corps member can effectively implement the national service,” he said.

    Regarding disclosure of health status, Momoh said corps members were gradually opening up on medical issues that they may have. He said full disclosure was in Thier best interest so they could get support and be posted close to their families.

    He said: “It is only when we know we can support you morally, medically because we have working relationship with all the Federal tertiary health Institutions in Lagos State. Presently we have a corps member at Yaba and we paid his bills.

    “The present DG had been doing a lot I the area of corps members’ health and he has been supporting the states to ensure that we do our best because corps members’ health is a priority for him.”

    Momoh thanked the Lagos State government for rehabilitating the camp ahead of the orientation programme which started on Monday.

    He counseled the corps members to be law abiding, disciplined and participate in all camp activities including paramilitary drills, lectures, skills acquisition, leadership/citizenship trainings and inter-platoon competitions.

    Highpoint of the event was the swearing in of the corps members by Justice Femi Segun who represented the Chief Judge of Lagos State.

  • Ambode pledges support for special needs centre

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has pledged to support the initiatives of Olusoye Compensatory Centre, which is saddled with the responsibility of taking care of children with special needs.

    Ambode spoke through the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Agbo Dabiri during a talent show and awards organised in memory of the centre’s founder, Mrs Ellen Olusola Caulcrick, who died five years ago.

    The Governor said the state prioritizes child development, noting that its Child Rights Law was enacted to protect children.  He said every child had the right to good education, and to this end the government has adopted best practices from developed countries on how to gain early intervention skills to cater for children with special needs.

    He encouraged the management team and workers of Olusoye Compensatory Centre to write their own stories and be the best they can be.

    The Governor also praised the centre’s leadership and the board of trustees for their selfless service and commitment to the children’s welfare.

    He praised the children who participated in the team and individual categories of the talent show regardless of their learning challenges, for their courage and enthusiasm to make something worthwhile out of their lives.

    The event held at the Ilupeju Recreation Hall, Ilupeju, Lagos, was chaired by Mrs Adefemi Abeke Taire, a former secretary to the Lagos State Government and chairman of the centre’s board of trustees.

    In her speech, Mrs Taire, thanked Ambode for honouring the centre’s invitation.  She said shared the history, vision and mission statement of the non-profit private school, urging the audience to appreciate the laudable efforts of the late Mrs Caulcrick.

    Fourteen schools featured in the school category while four pupils featured in the individual category of the event tagged “Yes, I can”. The audience cheered the challenged-children, as they sang, danced and perform wonders on musical instruments.

    Following the amazing performances, Mrs Taire, encouraged the guests to give to support the development of the centre’s permanent site in Epe.  She said the 2 ½-hectare site at Oke-Osho village, Temu, Epe was to facilitate the full accomplishment of the founder’s vision for an exclusive academic and vocational centre for children and youth with special needs.

    Starting with guests on the high table, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, represented by Mrs Delphine Misan-Arenyekam and Pastor Niyi Famuyide, the guests donated handsomely, while others pledged continual moral and financial support to the school.

    At the end of the competition, Child Development Centre (CDC), Surulere, emerged winner of the school category with 120 points, while Lekan Ogunkoya with 116 points, won the individual performers’ category.

     

  • ‘Reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi expressway begins in two weeks’

    Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has disclosed that the reconstruction of the dilapidated Apapa-Oshodi Expressway will commence in two weeks time lamenting that the road had been in a deplorable condition for long.

    Ambode disclosed this on Wednesday at the 2018 third quarterly Town Hall meeting which held at Iberekodo, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

    The governor decried the perennial gridlock in Apapa in the last few weeks, noting that there had been appreciable improvement in traffic experience within the axis in the last one week.

    According to him the gridlock which has become a perenial issue, going and coming, is pathetic. “But the challenge is to give a permanent solution and in that reason, the President directed the Vice President to visit Lagos and provide permanent solution”.

    Ambode tasked the Federal Government to do everything within its powers to revive existing Ports in other States of the federation so as to bring about permanent solution to the perennial traffic congestion in Apapa axis of the State.

    According to him, beyond getting other ports up and running, the issue of tankers queuing up to lift petroleum products from Tank Farms in Apapa was also a major issue causing gridlock and damaging road infrastructure in the area, which according to him was inimical to the economic growth of not just the State, but Nigeria in general.

    “It would be very unfair to Lagosians if I don’t talk about issues relating to traffic management and integrated transport management most especially what we have witnessed in the last one week in Apapa, but again I would like to tell Lagosians that every stakeholder that is ‎relevant to resolving the Apapa crisis, we have gone to work and you can see that there is a major improvement.

    “We are grateful to the President for his intervention. We believe that every layer of government should collaborate to resolve the crisis. But we all must know that Apapa crisis is more than traffic issue.

    “That is where all states depend on for revenue through Customs because the revenue is shared at FAAC. If anything goes wrong in the port, whatever they get from the place could reduce. It is a national issue and must be addressed as same immediately.”

    The problem in Apapa, Ambode was that there were too many agencies and establishments disturbing the fundamentals within the axis. Adding that, “It is bad that we still use trucks to lift petroleum products from Apapa to other parts of the country. As it is now, other ports in Nigeria must begin to work immediately to decongest gridlock in Lagos.

    According to Ambode, the Apapa congestion was a national issue that required urgent attention, the Governor also noted that oil pipelines should be revived to discourage the trend of thousands of trucks coming from other parts of the country to lift petroleum products from Apapa.

    “Whatever has led to continual use of trucks to lift fuel, which is vandalism of pipeline should be addressed immediately. We believe that this will allow the road to become free. We don’t need to continuously use tax payers money to build road that were destroyed by tankers,” he said.

    Ambode called on the Minister of Petroleum and the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR to work towards reviving the pipelines.

    The governor also said the State did not need tank farms anymore as it already has 68 in Apapa area alone. “Also, we don’t need tank farms within Lagos metropolis anymore. There are 68 tank farms in Apapa alone. That is a serious danger waiting to happen.

    “Beyond Apapa, they have approved tank farms in Ijegun axis. And that is where we have huge population. We need to distribute tank farms establishment to other parts of the state. This is what we believe should be done at this moment to free Lagos roads,” he said.

    Ambode, however, commended the Federal Government for shifting the date for repairs on the Third Mainland Bridge saying “we believe that at this time, the clearing of the alternative roads would have been completed.

    “We have a transport challenge in Lagos because it is only road transport that is effective in the state.”

    The governor also spoke on efforts of his administration to develop the economy of the State, saying his administration has continued to keep faith with its mandate to ensure that the future of Lagos remains on a sound pedestal.

    He said the Town Hall meeting, which had moved round the three senatorial districts in the State from its first edition held in October 6, 2015 has continued to provide the Government with first hand information on the needs of the people and how best to solve them.

    “Our promise from the very beginning was that we are going to give you a government of inclusion and it’s very clear that we are on track. When we look at our scorecard, which is to keep Lagos on a trajectory of growth and development, we are on that track.

    “We are happy to be here. We are everywhere meeting the needs of our people, asking them what the issues are and wanting to respond positively to those issues. Yes, we are not perfect, we would try our best but our people know that we are doing things that would create prosperity for their future,” Governor Ambode said.

    Besides, the Governor said that his administration was not oblivious of the fact that the Eastern and Western axis of the State were pivotal to the future prosperity of Lagos.

    Giving an insight on the next plan of action for the Ibeju Lekki axis, Governor Ambode also said the construction of the Epe Airport and reconstruction of the Coastal Road were very much on course, adding that the dualization of the Eleko Junction to the T-Junction would commence in January 2019, while the 27 network of roads in Ojokoro, Ayinke House, among others would be completed before the next quarter.

    The Governor, while thanking traditional rulers, community heads and residents of Ibeju Lekki for their unflinching support towards the advancement of the multibillion dollar projects ongoing in the Lekki Free Trade Zone assured that all issues relating to compensation would be resolved before the end of the week.

    Ambode also announced the commencement of recruitment of 1,000 teachers in the State, adding that more would be recruited as the need arises.

    He appealed to residents to be patient as the Government would continue to deliver more life changing projects to make life more comfortable for the people.

    A physically challenged resident and graduate of Computer Studies, Micheal Ogunyemi who said he had been jobless for five years could not hold back his joy as the Governor directed the Civil Service Commission to grant him immediate employment from August 1, while relevant agencies were directed to address various issues raised by residents.

    Participants who attended the town hall meeting which cuts across the different strata of residents in the state including the highly and lowly placed asked the governor to provide jobs for the unemployed, roads, clearing of refuse and the governor assured them.

    Among dignitaries present at the event were, the Deputy governor, Mrs. Idiat Adebule, deputy speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly who represented Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Lagos APC chairman, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, royal fathers etc.

  • Ambode throws weight behind state police

    …Says Nigeria stands to benefit from Lagos model of fighting crime

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said the fight against crime and all forms of criminality in Nigeria can only be better enhanced if concerted efforts are geared toward embracing community policing to complement the police and other law enforcement agencies.

    The Governor also said in view of the critical national security issues confronting the country at the point in time, paramount importance must now be attached to strong intelligence gathering even over and above the provision of physical security apparatuses, to rescue Nigeria from the myriad of security challenges.

    Governor Ambode, who said this while addressing participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course II of the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, noted that the security issues the country was grappling with such as international terrorism and insecure borders, local terrorism including lone wolf terrorists, proliferation of small arms into big cities, cyber warfare, drug trafficking, human trafficking and the regular misdemeanors among and other petty crimes, all pointed to the need for strong intelligence gathering framework to be put in place to nip potential crime in the bud.

    According to him, if policy makers such as the participants at the course who were drawn from 21 security and government agencies could not understand such security issues from the point of first-rate intelligence, then it would difficult for effective policies to be made and implemented to combat them.

    “In the pursuit of the primus inter pares of all governance challenges, we have identified that the gathering and utilisation of intelligence is of paramount importance, even ahead of the provision of physical security apparatuses.

    Read Also: Ambode commends ‘Home & You’ over furniture factory

    “As is well known, I am a huge proponent of community policing. Indeed, I strongly believe that the fight against crime and all forms of criminality would be better enhanced if efforts are geared towards embracing community policing to complement the police and other law enforcement agencies,” the Governor said, adding that it was for such reason that his administration established the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corp Agency (LNSC) to enhance intelligence gathering in the communities.

    The Governor, who specifically spoke on the theme: “Cultural Values, National Security and Challenges of Contemporary Governance: Perspective from Lagos State Experience,” said being the melting pot of diverse cultures, as well as major economic hub as the fifth largest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $131billion, Lagos had been able to appropriate its cultural values, especially the multi-ethnic and cosmopolitan nature, to confront its security and governance challenges, adding that the country stand to gain from the model which the State had adopted in fighting crime and administering governance.

    Recalling security challenges faced by his administration at the initial stage especially kidnapping, the Governor said in fighting the menace, the government garnered the support of the security agencies to set up military bases and security operations that resulted in the rescue of kidnap victims  and arrest of kidnap kingpins, while further steps were taken on intelligence gathering, community partnership and huge investment in security, such that today, the State was now one of the safest cities in Africa.

    Besides, the Governor listed core cultural values which are essential to ensure security and development to include truth, justice, hard work and character, which according to him, have been effectively deployed in Lagos State in the creation of agencies such as LNSC, the Security Trust Fund under the Public-private partnership model to enhance transparency, among others.

    “In Lagos State, we are resolved to continue to review and revise our policies with the aim of maintaining, at every point in time, a sustainable security framework that will stand the test of time and enable every stakeholder in Lagos to participate. So far, we have been encouraged by the massive contributions of many corporate organizations to the Security Trust Fund and by the participation of our communities in the work of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps,” he said.

    He said though a lot had been achieved, but that the State Government was nonetheless not oblivious of the fact that more needed to be done, assuring that his administration would continue to prioritise the security of the people.

    Going forward with regards to preserving the culture of the people with focus on security, the Governor said from the home front, parents should now attach importance to their culture, saying the State Government had already led the way in placing paramount importance on the continuous learning of indigenous languages.

    According to him, “Many parents are not training their kids to know and understand the realities of life and cultural values. Parents should go back to the teaching and promotion of our core cultural values. The abandonment of these cultural values has led many children to take to drugs and bad vices with the attendant challenges to national security.

    “Beyond the efforts to sustain and, as the case may be, to resuscitate cultural values as a veritable means for ensuring cohesiveness in the society and promoting security, I also advocate a collective vigilance mentality whereby all stakeholders in security management have properly defined roles and relationships to stay ahead of all forms of violent crimes such as terrorism, cyber and transnational organized crimes while utilizing processed intelligence made possible as a result of our cultural values,” Governor Ambode said.

    In his opening remarks, Director of the Institute, Matthew Seiyfa commended Governor Ambode for the various projects and initiatives implemented to make life better for the people, saying the projects have also contributed immensely to enhance security.

    He also commended the initiative of the Security Trust Fund, saying the fact that many States have now copied it from Lagos attests to its vitality and effectiveness in security management.

    “Since 2015 when Governor Ambode took hold on the reigns of office as the Executive Governor, he has not only continued but revitalized this visionary path. He (The Governor) has sought to consolidate and deepen the status of Lagos as a mega city and a hub for regional transportation, tourism, entertainment, finance, industry, among others.

    “The Governor’s projects have not only been world class in standard and quality but also inclusive,” Seiyfa said.

  • Apapa gridlock: LASG suspends approval for development of tank farms

    As FG, LASG, stakeholders meet

    As part of measures to sanitize the chaotic traffic situation in Lagos especially in Apapa axis caused by indiscriminate parking of trailers and tankers, Lagos state government has suspended further approval for development of Tank Farms and also given Tank Farms currently operating 30 days within which to have adequate holding bay failure for which they would be sanctioned.

    This was part of the resolution of a meeting between representatives of the Federal and Lagos State governments and stakeholders in the Maritime industry  as well as security outfits which took place at the State House Alausa on Monday.

    The stakeholders in attendance include: FG, LASG, NPA, Shippers Council, Tank Farm owners, DPR and security personnel.

    The federal government delegation was led by the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman while Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led the state team with the commissioner of Transport, Hon. Ladi Lawanson and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello also in attendance.

    Lawanson who read out the resolutions of the meeting to the press said a security task force has been constituted by the Federal Government, FG and Lagos state government, LASG, to work continuously for 30days to bring sanity to the roads.

    Read Also: Tanker explosion: LASG to prosecute owner, driver

    Other resolutions include: that the sanctions on shipping companies for non compliance on utilization of holding bay have been extended by five days and will be reviewed thereafter while Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, is to ensure that tank farm owners comply with holding bay requirements.

    “Federal ministry of public works and housing is to commence palliative measures on bad portion of access roads” and “Trailers not called upon and found trampling will be impounded and sanctioned.

    “LASG is to accelerate completion of Orile Trailer park; all truck and tanker owners must be duly registered and well regulated by their unions and unions will be accountable for their adherence to extant rules and regulations.

    And “NPA in collaboration with LASG will license trailer parks whereby only trucks housed in those designated parks will be granted access.”

  • Gov. Ambode calls for prison reforms

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Friday called for the reform of Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) to improve present condition of prisons across the country.

    Ambode made this call when he visited the Senate Committee on Interior on Retreat For the Review of Amendment to Nigeria Prison Act in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate committee on Interior was chaired by Senator Andy Uba representing Anambra North in the National Assembly.

    ” The reformation of Nigeria Prison is necessary especially the decongestion of the prison.

    ” Some inmates are suffering as a result of not being able to pay their fine.

    ” We will set up a committee in Lagos that will go round all the prison formations, ” Gov Ambode said.

    The Gov. commended the committee for their hard work in making laws that would benefit the people and constituents to the growth of the country .

    Ambode was represented by the Deputy Gov. of Lagos state, Dr Idiat Adebule

    The committee on interior on retreat for the review of Amendment to the prison Act was scheduled for between July 20 and July 21. ((NAN).

  • Ambode assures young entrepreneurs good environment for business

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Thursday assured young entrepreneurs in the state of the commitment of his administration to provide environment that would enable their businesses to thrive.

    The governor gave the assurance in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Temiwunmi Tope-Banjoko in Lagos.

    According to Akinwunmi, his administration has pledged that it will continue to pay greater attention to the growth of young entrepreneurs in the state.

    “Young entrepreneurs should not push aside their ideas and innovations but understand the rudiments of what they want to embark upon.

    “The attention from government will also be backed up with an enabling environment and friendly policies that will enhance success of the entrepreneurs’ business initiatives,” he said.

    He said that the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) was established to ensure financial support for the residents of the state to tackle unemployment and wealth creations.

    Ambode said the LSETF was also for all young entrepreneurs, without any bureaucracy, for them to meet up with the required criteria.

    The governor said that the Yaba Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Hub was built as a platform for the congregation of technology and innovative entrepreneurs, capital, infrastructure and allied services for germination.

    Read Also: Ambode okays work on Airport-Oshodi road

    Others he said were for acceleration, penetration and adoption of IT and innovation in up scaling business, administrative functionalities and the ease of daily living.

    He further urged young entrepreneurial not to sheathe their ideas and innovations but ensure they that did not jump into any business without knowing fully, the rudiments guiding such business.

    The governor also advised the young entrepreneurs to tap into exhibitions like the TEXPO Technology Exhibition programme that was recently organised.

    He counselled them to mingle with mentors who could set them on the right path of establishing a business and accomplish their innovations.

    He also said that such effort could enable them have access to investors that would aid their businesses.

    The Coordinator of TEXPO, Mr Adetolani Eko, said the annual event was aimed at encouraging young and innovative technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Africa.

    Eko the exercise this was to ensure that young and innovative technology entrepreneurs were a force to reckon with in the world technology market.

    “This gives stakeholders the ecosystem, an opportunity to interact and showcase their products as it features industry influencers, exhibitors and potential investors.

    “Youths should not pockets their innovations but continue to strive for its accomplishment,” he said.

     

    NAN