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Tag: Babatunde Fashola

  • Govt to rehabilitate Alaba International Market road

    Govt to rehabilitate Alaba International Market road

    Lagos  State Governor  Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has directed the state  Public Works Corporation(LSPWC) to  begin maintenance work on the ever- busy Alaba International Market Road, Ojo.

    Chairman, LSPWC, Mr. Gbenga Akintola, who disclosed this at a stakeholders forum, said the corporation complied with the directive and at the weekend began extensive work which will covers critically failed sections of the road

    He explained that the government observed the deplorable state of the road and directed that direct labour approach be applied for repair  pending major reconstruction work in the nearest future.

    Akintola hinted that the work has been planned as night operation, owing to the high volume of human and vehicular movement in that axis.

    He said the stakeholders forum was necessitated by the need to see the co-operation of road users, shop owners and others whose activities might slow down the pace of work if necessary steps are not taken.

    He, therefore, urged traders and residents in the area to take ownership of the road after the maintenance work by waging a collective war against bad habits  that can  lead to damage of roads, such as dumping of refuse in drain and excess axle load, among others.

    He also said that it has taken this long for the work to commence  because the new Badagry Asphalt Plant completion was being awaited. He, however, added that now that the plant is being completed, Asphalt and other necessary materials would be easily sourced in a more efficient way rather than bringing them from the Ojodu-Berger Plant.

    In her remark, the Council Manager, Ojo Local Government, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Salami, expressed her appreciation to the LSPWC boss and his team for their intervention on the road, which according to her, is one of the most strategic within the Ojo community.

    She promised to work with leaders of the market to ensure safety of men and equipment deployed by the Corporation, adding that efforts will be made to ensure that any articulated lorries which are regular features on the road, are removed in order to prevent any delay or logistic challenges during the maintenance work.

    Also Chairman, Amalgamated Traders Association, Alaba International Market, Paul Okenwa assured that no action to jeopardise the smooth running of thin work will be tolerated from its members or any persons, since it is in the interest of their business that the roads are in good condition.

    He called on motorists and other road users to use alternative routes to their destination during the maintenance work which is anticipated to take about two weeks.

  • Don’t be frustrated, Fashola tells youth

    Don’t be frustrated, Fashola tells youth

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola challenged thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) youths yesterday not to allow the “frustration in the system” deter their desire for a new Nigeria.

    Fashola, who spoke at an APC Youth Summit, held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, said it was important to crave for a new Nigeria, where the leaders will place more value on human lives.

    Speaking on ‘A New Nigeria by New Nigerians’, the governor said Nigerians deserve a country where security, good health delivery system, public accountability and probity, good educational system, power supply and good roads are guaranteed.

    He said: “Each one of us will have a unique idea of the type of Nigeria we want, because we are different in many ways, but I think that because of our reality all of us can agree on a framework that allows our expectations to be met.

    “A new Nigeria is the one that is safe and secured. It is the one that children and their parents are not kidnapped. A new Nigeria is the one that is better governed, where government gives account of how its resources are managed.

    “The Nigeria of our dream is the one where the people are more important than any other projects or services that government wants to execute. A new Nigeria should be a better governed Nigeria, we expect our government to account for our resources and the billions of dollars that go missing will stop, and public funds are no longer lost to boyfriends and girl friends.”

    Fashola added that government should make the interest of Nigeria the corner piece of her foreign policy, stressing that Africa and other interests could come later.

    He said it would be wrong for the people to be suffering while it engages in protecting others. He said charity must begin at home. “We must love ourselves, offer service to the people that is when we will be respected outside.”

    The governor said local manufacturing industries that had folded up in Nigeria were due to lack of power.

    “When power supply could not be guaranteed, some of these companies were exposed to stiff competitions from the foreign ones. Like you have it, the imported goods from the foreign companies were cheaper and patronised by the people. The companies folded up because they could not meet up due to alternative power supply.”

    He stated that up till now the Federal Government has not demonstrated the capacity to tackle the power problem facing the country.

    “Government should show us just one state, where it has provided stable light to the people, not even Abuja the Federal Capital. If we can just see one state, where power is guaranteed, we will believe that government is providing electricity.

    “In Lagos, we have made efforts to provide independent power supply which now powers most of the street lights, some public and private concerns. Like I said a new Nigeria of our dream is the one that can guarantee electricity supply to the people of this country.

    A youth leader, Ikem Isikwena, a discussant, said Nigeria had retrogressed, noting that over 70 per cent of Nigerians live below N200 per day.

    He said: “If the situation is not checked more harm will be done, even to the children yet unborn, not to talk of the present ones whose future have been blighted by leaders who only believe in their pockets.

    “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, yet with appalling records of inequality and insecurity. If you must travel to the Southeast or Southsouth, you have to make provision for extra security device.

    “I must say the youth must stop complaining because they can right the wrongs through their votes. We must all participate in the election and vote out leaders who have wasted away our future,’’ he said.

    Another discussant, Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, said Nigeria must effect a change by ensuring that a party with social welfarism rules in Lagos and at the centre.

    He said the APC was the only party capable of providing the changes the youth sought for.

    “We must move from door to door in our campaign to get a better Nigeria, APC has credible leaders who have been tested in public service and they can do it again.”

    Elliot said the entertainment industry has not been well integrated compared those in other climes, noting that if well harnessed it could guarantee reasonable income for the national treasury.

     

     

  • PVCs: Don’t be frustrated by INEC’s performance, Fashola urges Lagosians

    PVCs: Don’t be frustrated by INEC’s performance, Fashola urges Lagosians

    FOLLOWING the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Card in Lagos on Friday, the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has enjoined residents not to be frustrated.

    The governor, who spoke after an inspection of on-going projects in Ikorodu and Epe, said the evident lack of preparedness by the Commission should not be allowed to overshadow the love for democracy for which the State is known, saying, “Our love for democracy must be bigger than the dissatisfaction that we are experiencing today.

    “Our love for democracy is a long and enduring love. Whatever it takes, we must do it now so that we can get our Permanent Voters’ Card and we are able then, in February, to choose those whom we can entrust to act for us. If you get frustrated now, you go and sit at home; you do so at a risk to your future.”

    Speaking on why Friday was chosen for the inspection, the governor said it was deliberate as it afforded him and his team the opportunity to inspect on-going projects and gauge the feelings of the people, as well as find out how the distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Card was going on.

    He said: “We have been planning this inspection before today, but we just thought it would give us the opportunity to assess our work and see how it is going on and also to see how the Voters’ Card distribution exercise is going on.”

     

  • Resist federal task force,says Fashola

    Resist federal task force,says Fashola

    •Lagos APC: Fed Govt launching ‘war’

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has urged residents to resist officials of the Federal Task Force parading as traffic officials on Lagos highways.

    Fashola gave the advice yesterday at the fifth anniversary of Uniformed Voluntary Clubs in Lagos State public schools at the Police College, Ikeja.

    He said the only agencies recognised by law to manage traffic in the state are the Federal Roads Safety Corps (for federal roads) and the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), adding that the Federal Task Force was illegally constituted to create confusion in the state.

    Fashola said: “In the times of elections all manner of behaviour would be seen. The report got to me and I think they are FERMA men.

    “That is what we have done with our SURE-P money. It is now for Nigerians and Lagosians to ask the Federal Government and the President if they had been honest with us on SURE-P savings of over N6 trillion.

    “It was a savings to be used to improve our lives. We can now see how it has improved our lives; setting up an organisation that has no law two months to the general elections.”

    The governor said the money expended on the Sure P Task Force could have been invested on roads, such as Tin Can-Apapa-Oshodi Road, to improve the wellbeing of the people.

    “There was an accident on that road on Monday. It is to that kind of routes that SURE-P money is supposed to be going, not to dissipate it into political organisations for a very wanton desperation to win election.

    “Perpetuation of such illegalities” is not new, citing that similar attempt was tried in 2006 but did not produce any result “because they were roundly defeated.

    “So, if they go back to a method that didn’t work, we will not be provoked. We expect that at some point in time, common sense will prevail.

    “They have no right to manage traffic. The only agencies empowered by law to manage traffic in Lagos are LASTMA and FRSC on federal roads. Citizens should just resist them and should not cooperate with them,” he said.

    He urged the children to imbibe good character that would make them stand out as good citizens.

    Fashola said the government re-launched the school voluntary club to build core values.

    Five thousands Nigerians had been recruited under the SURE-P/FERMA programme, which their National Coordinator, Abdul Razak Rafiu Otto, dissociated from political intent or ploy to disrupt the 2015 elections.

    Otto told reporters that the task force was set up in the 36 states.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the Federal Government is bringing hoodlums and thugs to the state.

    Its spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) plans to cause a breakdown of law and order in Lagos.

    “We are at a loss with PDP’s obsession with this project of sponsoring disruption and mayhem in Lagos.

    “We wonder whether Lagos is the only state where there are federal roads in Nigeria.

    “We wonder how control of traffic on Lagos roads should be the function and responsibility of the Federal Government even when it is obvious that it has done nothing to repair the worsening state of federal roads in Lagos.

    “Nothing adds up here except the burning desire that is ravaging the rank and file of the members of the PDP to set Lagos on fire.

    “Lagos APC is calling on all Lagosians, traditional rulers, stakeholders and leaders of thought to stand up against this act of political desperation.”

  • Budget presentation on Monday

    Budget presentation on Monday

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola will on Monday present the 2015 budget proposal to the House of Assembly.

    Majority Leader Ajibayo Adeyeye made the announcement at plenary yesterday.

    This is the governor’s last presentation as he leaves office on May 29, next year.

  • Politicians to head Lagos Transition Councils

    Politicians to head Lagos Transition Councils

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said the government would soon constitute Transition Councils to manage the local governments following the  expiration of the tenure of the former council chairmen.

    Fashola spoke with  reporters at the Nigeria Police College Parade Ground, Ikeja venue of the fifth Year Anniversary of Uniformed Voluntary Clubs in Lagos State Public Schools. He  said the Transition Council, to  comprise politicians, would hold forth during the transition period when the process of conducting voter’s registration update and ward delineation would be concluded.

    The Governor, who also spoke of the men and women in black uniforms now deployed in the state’s and federal roads reportedly to manage traffic, condemned the creation of what he called a parallel and unlawful traffic agency to manage traffic on State and Federal roads in Lagos, saying such creation amounted to a misuse of the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment (SURE-P) programme funds.

  • Lagos asks council chairmen to vacate office

    Lagos asks council chairmen to vacate office

    The Lagos State government has directed the 20 local government chairmen and 37 local council development areas chairmen to vacate office, following the expiration of their three-year tenure.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola, in a statement, ordered the chairmen to hand over to their heads of personnel management.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Aderemi Ibirogba, who signed the statement, said the three-year statutory tenure of  chairmen and councillors in Lagos State has expired, adding that they vacated their offices.

    The statement reads: “Consequently, all affected officials, including supervisors, council secretaries and other political appointees, are legally required to vacate their offices by close of business on the same day.

    “Chairmen are hereby directed to co-ordinate the exercise and hand over to the council managers, who will take charge of the administration until further notice.

    “It is expected that newly elected officials will resume office after the next local government elections to be scheduled and conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission upon completion of the continuous voter registration, ward re-delineation and polling booth re-distribution embarked upon by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

    In compliance with the directive, council chairmen in the state have started vacating their offices.

    Efforts to reach the council chairmen were not successful as they did not answer their phones.

  • Abandoning Lagos

    Abandoning Lagos

    •Why is the Federal Govt now suddenly interested in taking over the Badagry Expressway?

    Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) had during his 2,700 days celebration in office at the Lagos Television, Ikeja, given a hint of a purported statement credited to Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, that the Federal Government was planning to take over the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The expressway, which also serves as gateway into the country, has been abandoned by the Federal Government for years. Why it has suddenly become attracted for take-over at a time that its transformation is being bankrolled by the Lagos State government remains curious.

    Governor Fashola however reportedly admonished: “On the statement credited to Minister Onolememen… I think it will be wise to hear what they have to say on the matter and I think it will be an unfortunate journey to even contemplate that idea. They will have us to contend with should that be the case, but I don’t think that anybody who is sensible will want to stand in the way of development. What will the objective be?”

    The Federal Government has undoubtedly abandoned Lagos for inexplicable reasons. The pointers: The centre government has neglected its duties to the state and also refuses to refund the N51 billion that the Lagos State government claimed it had so far spent on repairs of dilapidated abandoned federal roads in its jurisdiction, so as to improve the state’s transportation challenges. Moreover, the Federal Government has been ignoring the state’s application for approval to share the red line federal corridor without which the take-off of the state’s light rail project becomes impossible.

    Lastly, we query why the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has refused to act on the report of experts assessment conducted on all bridges in Lagos and submitted to it by the state government. The report purportedly contains evidence showing that some of the 39 bridges in its territory are vastly deteriorating and need urgent attention.

    Lagos State, as former federal capital, has federal roads/bridges that are in bad shape and it is even a shame that while the state government has taken it upon itself to fix the roads and bridges, the Federal Government has failed to show appreciation by refunding the money spent on them by the state government. It is clearly a case of ingratitude for the centre government to say or even contemplate taking over the Badagry Expressway when the money and design for its expansion and others not belonging to the state, were provided by the state government so that the state can make progress.

    For instance, the on-going Eko Bridge rehabilitation project with 33 joints’ repairs that is reportedly costing the state over N400 million is due for completion by the second week in December. Yet, the Eko Bridge especially, and others presently abandoned by their federal owner, are of strategic security and economic importance, not only to the state, but the country in general. We are aware of the current official trend that the centre government’s approval must be sought and given before any state can embark on rehabilitation of a federal road or bridge, but must the state government wait until a total collapse occurs before rescuing its inhabitants from avoidable tragedy?

    Without doubt, the pressure on roads and other infrastructure in Lagos is too much. Any unnecessary maintenance delay, as exhibited by the Federal Government, can lead to dire consequences if not quickly attended to, as the Lagos State Government is doing.

    The state government deserves commendation and motivation, not hounding with political undercurrents, from the Federal Government. We therefore demand that the Federal Government should stay off the Badagry Expressway, pay its verifiable outstanding debts to the state and henceforth promptly attend to federal infrastructure in Lagos.

  • Lagos intensifies battle against darkness

    Lagos intensifies battle against darkness

    •Switches on public lamps on Ikorodu Road, others

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Monday evening switched on an 11.8-kilometre stretch of public lighting covering Ikorodu Road, Iddo via Jibowu and Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, even as he appealed to residents to take ownership of the asset for proper maintenance.

    The project is broken into two sections with one consisting of 1.2 kilometres from Ikorodu Road to Jibowu, while the second consists of 10.6 kilometres on Murtala Mohammed Way (from Jibowu to Iddo). It brings to a total of 410 kilometres of roads so far lit up by the government in the last three years.

    Fashola also appealed to motorists who ply the roads to obey the Traffic Laws especially by not driving against traffic, warning that by driving against traffic, they not only endanger their lives but those of other road users.

    The governor, who said the switching on ceremony marked the end of the construction work in the area, added, however, that it also marks the commencement of maintenance works to make sure that the road stays in good state of repair.

    He appealed particularly to communities hosting the projects, including churches, schools, Railway Compound as well as others who pass through the roads, to treat the infrastructure as a public asset adding: “It belongs to you”.

    “The lighting, I believe, will help this place on a daily basis. At nights, it will make security better, it will also improve the night economy in this community”, the governor said.

    Aside providing jobs for a total of 89 people made up of 56 technicians, 12 painters, 10 welders, eight engineers and three supervisors, the project has increased the amount of functioning public lighting within the state to  410 kilometres while it signifies government’s continued commitment to light up the city ‘pole  to pole’.

    Other major highways that have benefited from the public lighting project in the last three years include: Gbagada Expressway, Carter Bridge, Iju Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Marina Road (Badagry) and Alhaji Masha (Surulere), among others.

    The General Manager of Lagos State Electricity Board, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, praised Fashola and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure as well as the board for their roles in bringing the project to a successful conclusion, adding that the lighting has connected Ikorodu Road all the way to Iddo.

     

  • AOCOED workers protest in Alausa

    AOCOED workers protest in Alausa

    Workers of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin, Lagos, stormed the office of Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday to protest the anomalies in the institution.

    The workers, who carried placards with various inscriptions, said they had no faith in the ad-hoc committee set up by the governor on issues affecting the institution.

    Chairman of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union(COEASU), Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and  Non Academic Staff Union (NASU AOCOED), Michael Avosetinyen, Mrs. Wunmi Ombugadu and Femi Adebayo argued that the ad-hoc committee was not genuine.

    Avosetinyen said some of the issues include unpaid 18 months salaries, non-payment of pensioners’ benefits for three years, non-remittance of 7.5 percent deducted from workers’ salaries for 17 months into the Retirement Savings Account, N150 million unremitted fund deducted from the co-operative funds, poor funding of the institution and others.

    He said when the governor set up the committee, they were happy and responded immediately the committee invited the unions to a meeting.

    “But we were surprised to discover that the special adviser to the governor, who was unable to resolve the issues before the strike began, was appointed as the chairman.

    “The special adviser has over the years failed to present the union’s demand before the governor. We have held several meetings with him that yielded no result.

    “And after such meetings, the unions felt that the meeting with the committee was another waste of time and energy. And the unions decided to walk away.

    “If by now, the issue that had been before the special adviser for over two years and he failed to do something on the issue, we do not believe in the committee. Even after we walked away, nothing concrete has been done to address the issues.”

    The aggrieved workers demanded the appointment of another person as the chairman of the committee, saying they believed that an independent person would address the issues.