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Tag: Apapa

  • 2019: Lagos lawmakers rally support for Gbajabiamila

    Some members of the House of Representatives from Lagos State have commended the leadership of the Leader of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila at national, state and constituency levels since his election into the house in 2003 .

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) lawmakers spoke in turns at the “Surulere General Assembly’’ on Thursday night.

    They said that they would support his bid to seek re-election to serve his people through quality representation.

    They appealed to residents of Gbajabiamila’s constituency to also support him in his bid to seek re-election.

    The newsmen reports that Gbajabiamila has been representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in the green chamber of the National Assembly since 2003.

    The lawmakers are: Messrs Jide Jimoh ( Yaba Fed. Constituency ), Ayo Joseph ( Apapa ), Rotimi Agunsoye ( Kosofe ) Yusuf Ayinla ( Mushin 2 ), and Olaitan Nurudeen ( Ifako-Ijaiye ).

    Mr JIde Jimoh described Gbajabiamila as an asset to the House of Representatives, who he said, had acquitted himself remarkably well as a legislator.

    He said the House Leader had initiated many development-oriented bills in the house and contributed robustly to debates in its sessions.

    Jimoh said Gbajabiamila served his people selflessly, urging residents of Surulere to unite and support him for another term.

    “We are here today to thank Surulere for giving to the house an impactful legislator like Hon.Gbajabiamila.

    “He has been an asset to the house with his great presentation of issues and robust contributions to sessions.

    “We are proud of him and we want you, his constituents to unite and support his bid to seek re-election,” he said.
    Jimoh said that Gbajabiamila was already a principal officer of the house and that replacing him with someone else at this point would not give much benefit to the constituency and the state.

    Also speaking, Hon, Ayo Joseph said lawmaking was about experience, passion and service.

    He said that Gbajabiamila’s wealth of experience as a member of the House was a great asset not only to the National Assembly but also to the nation.

    He urged residents of Surulere to speak with one voice and support the House Leader for another term to “continue the good work he has been doing”.

    Mr Rotimi Agunsoye said the hallmark of leadership was to lead well and see what others could not see.

    He said Gbajabiamila had demonstrated exemplary leadership and had impacted positively on his constituents.

    Agunsoye said the House Leader was a legislator per excellence who commanded the respect of house members with his erudite presentation of issues.

    “When Gbajabiamila speaks others listen. Every one of us loves to listen to him in the house.

    “He is a selfless leader and a legislator per excellence. I want the residents of Surulere to re-nominate this gentleman to keep the flag flying,” he said.

    Also, Mr Olaitan Nurudeen said Gbajabiamila was a rallying point for Lagos lawmakers in the house.

    He added that the lawmaker was a blessing not only to Surulere but to the state, urging his constituent members to support him for another term.

    Similarly, Mr Yusuf Ayinla also commended Gbajabiamila for what he called his achievements in the house, saying he deserved another term for his great performance.

    The Secretary of APC in the state, Mr Hakeem Bamgbala described Gbajabiamila as a great party man who had not only made the state proud but also the party.

    Bamgbala represented by the Vice-Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, said Gbajabiamila had demonstrated exemplary leadership.

    Read Also: Lagos Island Rotary to build hospital

    Also, Mr Desmond Elliot; a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly ( LAHA ), said Gbajabiamila had touched the lives of many constituents.

    He said that he had empowered many residents through so many initiatives and represented the area well at the House of Representatives.

    He urged the residents of Surulere to give the House Leader all the support in his bid for another term.

    A resident and chieftain of the APC, Mr Adeseye Amigos, praised Gbajabiamila for his contributions to the development of Surulere.

    He said that the residents were pleased with him and would support his bid for another term.

    The newsmen reports that other constituents took turns to commend Gbajabiamila at the assembly, pledging support for him.

    NAN

  • As Ambode goes to Apapa

    The 11th edition of the Lagos State government Quarterly Town Hall Meetings berths in Apapa today. Since its inauguration in May 2015, it has become traditional for the state government to periodically render account of its stewardship as well as interact with Lagos residents on diverse issues of governance. The Town Hall Meeting, which quarterly alternates across the state’s three senatorial districts is in fulfilment of Governor Ambode’s resolve to run an all-inclusive government in which “no one or segment of the society, irrespective of colour, race, faith, status, ability or disability is left behind”.

    The forum provides a steady platform for Lagos residents as well as other key stakeholders to be part of decision making process in the state. This, of course, is the whole essence of democracy. For any democratic system to be truly about the people, it is imperative that every democratically elected government constantly relates with the citizens on key issues of governance. Without a doubt, the people remain the bedrock of democracy and as such it is critical that their views on government policies and programmes are carefully and systematically sought from time to time. This way, it will be easy to evolve strategic means to determine ways of improving the quality of the citizenry’s social life.

    Since inception of the Quarterly Town Hall Meetings, opinions of various stakeholders as well as resolutions reached have been quite helpful in assisting government to prioritize its developmental plans across various sectors of the state.  For instance, at the maiden edition held at Abesan Mini Stadium in Ayobo-Ipaja, residents clamoured for a lasting solution to traffic grid along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway as well as rehabilitation of the Ayobo-Ipaja Road. Governor Ambode had promised that a flyover bridge would be constructed at Abule-Egba to ease traffic along the axis while the Ayobo-Ipaja Road would be rehabilitated within three months. Both promises have since been fulfilled.

    Besides helping government to prioritize its activities, the town hall meetings equally offers opportunity for the people to be briefed about various policies and activities of government on a quarterly basis. This is quite important because where access to official information is lacking, the citizenry are bound to take rumours, misconceptions, falsehoods and half-truths as the gospel truth, especially in this era of unbridled social media phenomenon.

    Therefore, today at Apapa, Lagos residents will have the prospect of hearing directly from the governor about several decisive issues that might be of immense concern to them. Similarly, Governor Ambode will equally have the opportunity of informing the people about the several strides of his administration across all sectors since the first quarter of this year.

    For instance, residents of Alimosho were recently given a rare Easter treat when 21 roads and three bridges connecting the state with Ogun State were commissioned. The roads commissioned  are Ikola Road with Odo Obasanjo Bridge – 6.4km (from Ipaja/Command to Ilo River); Ogunseye Road – 1.75km (from Ajasa/Command to Ikola Road);Oko Filling Road – 1.5km (from AIT to Ilo River).Others include Osenatu Ilo road – 620m (from Ibari Road to Ilo River); Amikanle road – 3.1km (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road – 1.9km (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road with a bridge– 1.4km (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection to Ilo River).

    The Akinwunmi Ambode administration has no doubt, taken infrastructure renewal to a new height in the state.  Just recently, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned a World Class Bus Terminal at Ikeja. At the event, Governor Ambode revealed that more of such are soon to be replicated across strategic locations in the state.

    In furtherance of the Lagos State government’s resolve to open up more communities in the state through the construction of inner roads, the Aboru Link Bridge was also constructed and commissioned for public use. The 500 metres bridge, which was designed to last for over 100 years, serves as a major link road to Iyana-Ipaja from Abule-Egba, Abesan Housing Estate, Ayobo-Ipaja, LASU-Iba and Okokomaiko. It has huge positive socio-economic effects on eight communities along the axis. These are Agbelekale, Aboru, Abesan, Iyana-Ipaja, Ayobo, Ipaja and the neighbouring Ogun State. With the coming of the Link Bridge also came construction of numerous other link roads along the axis such as Aboru road, Ogunfisayo Street as well as Kasumu Street.

    Presently, work is also on-going on the Pen Cinema /Agunbiade flyover which is aimed at reducing traffic gridlock within the corridor. The project entails the construction of reinforced concrete bridge over Pen- Cinema junction and Agunbiade/Old Abeokuta road junction respectively, with a spur linking Old Abeokuta road to the elevated deck and rehabilitation of adjoining roads. The adjoining roads will be improved upon to act as effective detour during construction of the flyover. The project is complemented by traffic signalization of the intersections. When completed, Pen Cinema flyover will help reduce the traffic grid lock along the axis.

    Similarly, the redevelopment of the Lagos Airport Road into a 10-lane international standard highway is on course while work is equally progressing on the Oshodi Transport Interchange which when completed is bound to change the face of public transportation in the entire country.

    The N699.08billion earmarked for key capital projects in this year’s budget is also being judiciously spent on road other infrastructure projects such as the alternative routes through Oke-Ira in Eti-Osa to Epe-Lekki Expressway; the eight kilometres regional road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) with Freedom Road in Lekki Phase I and the BRT Lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba, to mention but a few.

    It is instructive to note that this particular edition of the Town Hall Meeting at Apapa is quite significant. Apapa is very strategic to the economy of Nigeria, being a major gateway to the country’s sea ports. The major share of government’s revenue comes from both the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. More than 75 per cent of the goods that are imported into the country come through the ports in Lagos and the major ports in the country are based in Apapa. Without a doubt, Apapa is undoubtedly vital to the prosperity of Nigeria. It is, therefore, expected that major stakeholders in the axis would avail themselves the opportunity of today’s forum to come up with creative ideas that could further help in optimizing and sustaining the enormous socio-economic potentials of Apapa.

    In the words of Harvey Firestone, foremost American Business man, “Capital isn’t so important in business. Experience isn’t so important. You can get both these things. What is important is idea. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn’t any limit to what you can do with your business and your life.” It is hoped that today’s town meeting at Apapa will come up with several innovative ideas that will further enhance sustainable growth and development in the state.

     

    • Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • ‘Port congestion likely over closure of road, bridge in Apapa’ 

    Port congestion is likely in Lagos over the planned closure of Marine Bridge and Wharf Road in Apapa, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), warned yesterday.

    Dangote A.S. and the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing last week announced the plan to fast track work on the projects.

    Yesterday in Lagos, STOAN said the simultaneous closure of the Wharf Road and the Marine Bridge would lead to a buildup of cargo inside the port and lead to port congestion.

    “While we commend the efforts of the Federal Government to address the issue of bad roads and the poor state of the bridge, the closure of both roads at about the same time will cause serious problem to the ports especially the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port.

    “The bridge and the Wharf Road are the two major entry points into Apapa and shutting both down will mean cargoes will be trapped inside the port.

    “The implication of this is that there will be build up of cargoes at the various terminals and port congestion will inevitably set in.

    “In no time, vessel queues will return and Nigerian ports run the risk of returning to the point where they were prior to port concession.

    “Once vessel queues return, shipping lines congestion surcharge, which could amount to as much as $100 million per month could be slammed on Nigerian ports and this cost will ultimately be borne by the market,” STOAN said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Bolaji Akinola.

    Akinola said the repairs should be done one after the other and alternative routes should be opened up by Dangote A.S. and Julius Berger before any of the routes is shut.

    “The road remains the major route by which cargoes are evacuated from the port. Failure to create alternative routes before the major repair works are embarked upon will create major crisis in the port,” the statement further said.

    STOAN said that already, the poor state of the roads, especially the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and ongoing repair works on a section of the Wharf Road has created major challenges for port operation leading to gridlock, which has led to a near paralysis of movement into and out of Apapa.

  • NPA should decentralise operations to end gridlocks in Apapa Port – NUPENG

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has advised Nigerian Ports Authority to extend operations to other locations to discongest Apapa Port and end gridlocks in the area.

    Mr Tayo Aboyeji, NUPENG South-West Chairman, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.

    “When Apapa Port started operation in 1970, it was only made for 30,000 cargoes but now it has over 80,000 cargoes yet no infrastructural development.

    “The management of NPA should extend the port infrastructure to accommodate incoming trucks because they are the ones blocking other road users.

    “They can also create another port in Epe and Badagry to decongest the one in Apapa,” he said.

    Aboyeji said that the union would support any step taking by both Federal Government and Lagos State Government to end the gridlock.

    NAN reports that on March 9, Gov.  Akinwunmi Ambode, inaugurated a committee to address persistent gridlock across Lagos metropolis.

    The committee was chaired by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawanson.

    Other members include representatives of the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), LASTMA, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). (NAN)

  • Breaking: Army bans trucks on Lagos bridges

    Breaking: Army bans trucks on Lagos bridges

    ... Orders articulated vehicle owners to vacate bridges by Thursday

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday ordered drivers of articulated and other heavy-duty trucks to vacate the Carter Bridge and other overpass in Lagos with effect from Thursday.

    There were claims that the bridges may buckle under the weight of the articulated trucks and these may have forced the army to swing into action and prevent a major disaster in the nation’s economic and commercial capital.

    The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) had last year warned that the gridlocks created by trucks on the bridges were dangerous and had damaging effects on the overpass.

    The movement of the trucks to the bridges followed the state government’s directive to owners and operators of articulated vehicles, trailers, and petroleum tankers to stay away from Apapa and its environs until it finds a lasting solution to the unending traffic bottleneck in the city.

  • NPA begins exportation through Ikorodu terminal

    NPA begins exportation through Ikorodu terminal

    The Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) has commenced the exportation of agricultural products through the  Ikorodu Lighter Terminal as part of measures to decongest the Lagos sea ports and boost the economy.
    The movement of export cargoes from Ikorudu terminal to Apapa sea ports, NPA said, would enable Nigerians to maximize the facilities at the moribund terminal.

    Speaking during the official flag off of using barges to veery over 31 containers laden with agricultural produce from Ikorodu to Apapa port yesterday, NPA’s Managing Director Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said her agency has the mandate to ensure effective utilisation of the Ikorodu terminal for export.

    Read Also: OGFZA,NPA partner on free zone operation 

    President Muhammadu Buhari administration, she said, is committed to encourage export promotion through the terminal while NPA would ensure adherence to occupational, health and safety as  panacea to efficient port services in line with international best practices.

    She urged Nigerians to come forward and avail themselves of the emerging opportunities in the agricultural export market to boost for foreign exchange earnings and to strategically position the country on the global business community

    Exporters at the forum said they were happy that a major infrastructure at the Ikorodu which has been idle for decades came alive again with productive economic initiative of the current managing director of NPA.

    One of the exporters, Mr Ken Adeyanju said, the  rejection of Nigerian commodity and produce at the international market would soon be a thing of the past with the current efforts of the Federal Government through the NPA.

  • 33 ships laden with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos ports

    33 ships laden with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos ports

    Thirty three ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos from January 29 to February 19.

    The Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) stated this in its publication, `Shipping Position’, a copy of which was made available in Lagos on Monday.

    Read also: 42 ships laden with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos ports

    It explained that seven of the expected 33 ships would sail in with petrol.

    NPA said that 26 other ships contain buck wheat, frozen fish, soya beans, rig, bulk fertiliser, bulk sugar, empty containers, diesel and containers laden with goods.

    The document indicated that six ships had arrived the ports waiting to berth with bulk fertiliser, containers, lubrication oil and petrol.

    NAN

  • Shopkeeper charged with theft of N350,000 footwear

    Shopkeeper charged with theft of N350,000 footwear

    A 26-year-old female shopkeeper, Rachael Omua, was on Thursday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for stealing 19 pairs of footwear valued at N350,000.

    The accused, who resides at No. 6, Wilmer Crescent, Apapa, Lagos, is facing a two-count-charge of conspiracy and theft.

    Omua, however, denied the charge.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale, told the court that accused committed the offences on Sept. 22 at Shop 22/24, Abibu Oki Str., Lagos Island.

    He alleged that the accused conspired with two others, and stole 19 pairs of shoes valued at N350,000 from her employer, Mr Kingsley Ezeala.

    Osijiale told the court that the theft was discovered when the complainant, was taking the shop’s end-of-year stock.

    He said that the accused admitted that she sold the 19 pairs of shoes to two other footwear sellers in the market.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 287(7) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The Magistrate, Mr Omolaja Kazeem, granted the accused bail in the sum of
    N500, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    He said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should be blood relations of the accused.

    Kazeem adjourned the case until December 20, for mention.

    NAN

  • Petrolex oil city project to reduce Apapa gridlock – Adebutu

    Petrolex oil city project to reduce Apapa gridlock – Adebutu

    A leading energy conglomerate, Petrolex Group, has commenced moves to drastically reduce the traffic gridlock at Apapa area of Lagos by at least 60 per cent.

    Apapa is home to two of Nigeria’s busiest seaports, several tank farms and numerous companies.

    The firm will on Tuesday commission the first phase of its Mega Oil City at Ibefun, Ogun State.

    The project, according to a statement by the company, would also transform Nigeria’s energy landscape significantly.

    “As a solutions-driven company, we are positioned to drive increased efficiency and consistent value creation across the West African downstream oil and gas value chain through our strategic investments and the delivery of superior quality products and services.  Working with our diverse stakeholders, the successful completion of the first phase of our mega oil city in Ibefun, Ogun State, demonstrates our disciplined approach to project management and signposts our ability to execute large-scale energy development projects that will move the region forward,” the statement quoted Segun Adebutu, Chairman/CEO of Petrolex Oil and Gas Limited, as saying during a media tour of the site.

    “I lived in Apapa, I had to pack out one day when there was a gas build-up in one of the barges and it exploded and shattered glass in my house. I grew up where there were palm trees and we could ride our bicycles about and within the space of a decade, we spend one and half hours to even get out of Apapa. The infrastructure in Apapa was for residential and partly commercial purposes, not for the traffic it is facing now.”

    He said the congestion and attendant distribution problems require immediate solution.

    The Petrolex Mega Oil City project is a legacy investment valued at over $330million dollars by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

    The tank farm located in the Oil City has the capacity to turnover 600 million litres of petroleum products every month and transform Nigeria’s petroleum products storage and distribution by catering for about 60 percent of in-country need.

  • Man gets N50,000 bail for N8000 theft

    Man gets N50,000 bail for N8000 theft

    A 22-year-old man, Jamiu Habeeb, who allegedly stole 10 shirts worth N8000 from a trader, Mohammed Isah, was on Friday in Lagos granted a N50,000 bail.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, who gave the ruling at an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, ordered the accused to provide one surety as part of the bail conditions.

    Etti said the surety must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
    The accused, who entered a ‘not guilty’ plea, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused, who resides at the Ajegunle area of Apapa, Lagos, committed the offences on Nov. 21, at Ijora Market, Apapa, Lagos.

    Kokoye said that the accused and his accomplices, now at large, conspired to steal 10 shirts worth N8000 from Isah’s shop at about 3:00 pm.

    The prosecutor claimed that the accused and his accomplices went to the complainant’s shop pretending they were customers interested in buying shirts.

    He said they picked 10 shirts and ran away without paying.

    Kokoye explained further that the complainant raised an alarm about his stolen shirts and other traders ran after the accused.

    He said that Habeeb was apprehended by some traders, while his accomplices escaped with the shirts.

    Kokoye said that the complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    Section 287 prescribes three years’ imprisonment for stealing, if convicted.
    The case was adjourned until December 21, for mention.

    NAN