The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council

  • Council tackles crime

    The Executive Secretary of Coker/Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Ismail Bello has said the council will fight crime head on, even as he said efforts have been made to engage youths in positive ventures.

    He explained that it was worrisome that miscreants were in the habit of robbing people going to their places of work early in the morning in the Orile-Iganmu area of the council.

    He added that the council had donated power motorcycles and other security gadgets to the police, stressing that the gesture would assist their operations in flushing out criminals from the area.

    Bello further explained that it was easy for criminals to operate in the area because of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway which separated the police station from the criminal’s hideout.

    He said: “I have received series of complaints about breakages into people’s homes. People are robbed on their way to work in the morning and late in the night when they are returning from work.

    “The boys usually come out in the morning to carry out their evil acts. I can assure you that we are on top of the matter. The police have pledged to live up to their duty in the entire community. We have secured a parcel of land and we are equally trying to see how we can erect a police post in Opeloyeru area. The post will help the security agents to apprehend these boys and detain them before they are transferred to the divisional office.”

    Bello said the council has recorded some improvement in its development strides, noting that government would do everything possible to ensure that tax payers’ money are well expended.

    “The period we assumed office was very close to the election period, so we have embarked on rehabilitation work on some of the dilapidated roads within the council. We carried out some empowerment programmes for the aged and skill acquisition for the youth. Honestly, it has not been easy.

    “We equally provided utility vehicles for the market women. They have been agitating for it for several years. The agitation has been on since the creation of the council. We acquired a bus for the Department of Environment for enhance revenue collection for the council,.

    “Currently, Orile Primary Health Care (PHC) which was built before the creation of this council and which lacks necessary facilities for upgrading has been rehabilitated by the council. The administration has made everybody to feel a sense of belonging through its people-oriented programme,” he said.

    Continuing, he said: “Revenue collectors in the council are well trained. They don’t intimidate anybody. They explain things clearer to the tax payers before collecting the taxes. The people must see reason why taxes have to be paid.”

  • Council candidate wins court case

    A high Court has ruled in favour of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Abdullahi Candido, striking out the case instituted by Amanda Pam over her disqualification from contesting the party’s December 16 chairmanship primaries.

    The court verdict also favoured the party and seven others.

    The party’s legal adviser and counsel to Candido, APC and the others, Mr. Yakubu Haruna said during a press conference that the court ruling has allayed fears that the party might not present a candidate during the forthcoming polls.

    In the case, the APC, INEC and eight aspirants were joined as defendants in a suit filed by Barrister Pam who was disqualified before the primary election, challenging the process that led to her disqualification.

    Haruna explained that the court struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction, adding that it was purely a domestic affair which the court does have the power to entertain.

    “Except she decides to go further we are ready for that, as we are, we are ready for election, no more distraction,” he said.

    He explained that the ruling will be pivotal to the success of the party’s candidate, Abdullahi Candido at the March 19 polls, adding that the court case was a calculated attempt to disturb the teeming party supporters.

    On his part, the Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in AMAC, Hon. Hashimu Angama, Barr. Amanda Pam still a party member and will always be treated as such.

    “We were never disturbed despite the case was in court, we went about our campaign because we believe in justice. With this ruling in our favour, that will give us more strength to go about the election process. We are ready to accept her in our fold at any time for us to work together for the success of our party, because she was trying to protect her interest,” he said.

  • African Bar appoints council, women’s forum heads

    African Bar appoints council, women’s forum heads

    The African Bar Association (AFBA)  has elected a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Joseph Daudu (SAN) as chairman of its governing council.

    Its Director of Information and Protocol, Ochieng Nyamago, in a statement issued in  Nairobi, Kenya, said Daudu was elected at a joint meeting of AFBA’s Executive Council and the Technical Board held on March 6 in Nairobi.

    He said Daudu’s credential as a seasoned lawyer, his interest in AFBA’s activities and his impeccable character stood him out among two other candidates. Daudu will serve for five years.

    AFBA also announced the appointment of  Mrs Josephine Anenih as the Chairperson of its African Women Lawyers ‘ forum.

    In a statement issued in Abuja by the Special Adviser on media affairs, Mr. Samuel Abasilim, AFBA said the association took the decision at the last Executive Council meeting held at the New Africa hotel  in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from February 13 to 14, presided over by its president Hannibal Uwaifo.

    Mrs Anenih, a former Minister of Women Affairs, was called to Bar in 1990. She is expected to  coordinate all women groups across the continent on AFBA’s activities, including conferences.

    Abasilim said AFBA’s Rebirth Conference will hold in Banjul, the Gambia  with the theme: The rule of law: sure pathway to Africa ‘s  prosperity.

  • Ugwuanyi earmarks N100m projects per council

    Ugwuanyi earmarks N100m projects per council

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has promised to spend N100 million on projects in each local government area in the state.

    Ugwuanyi spoke through the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Patrick Ikpenwa at Ninth Mile corner in Udi Local Government Area, when he inspected ongoing road works across the state.

    He added that the government is committed to massive infrastructural development, especially at the grassroots.

    The commissioner noted that Uguwanyi’s efforts, especially in road construction, demonstrates his willingness to provide the dividends of democracy to the people and advance good governance.

    Ikpenwa said the governor has earmarked N100 million per council, as contained in the 2016 budget, for the execution of projects that will touch their lives.

    He appealed for special prayers for improvement in the economic situation in the country.

  • Olu of Warri halts regional council

    The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, has ordered the dissolution of a newly constituted board of Chevron Nigeria Limited-funded Itsekiri Regional Development Council (IRDC).

    The IRDC is responsible for the management of multi-billion funds from CNL for the development of Itsekiri communities in Delta State.

    The dissolution came barely two days after the board was inaugurated by a member representing Warri North in the House of Assembly, Mr Michael Diden (Ejele).

    Diden is seen as a key player in the state and his purported inauguration of the board, headed by Mr Austin Oniyesan led to the fear of renewed crisis in some Itsekiri communities.

    Ogiame Ikenwoli declared the purported executive null and void.

    “Ogiame has done the right thing and this shows that he is a king in tune with the feelings of the people. This has gone on for too long and it is high time those who see themselves as above the law in Iwere land are brought down to earth.

    “Our king had earlier given directives on how such communities must emerge. We are unhappy with the conduct of Diden (Ejele) and orders and he has summarily ordered that the committee be dissolved to pave the way for proper and legitimate exco for IRDC,” a source added.

    Sources at the Aghofen (Olu’s palace) in Warri, said the monarch insisted that nomination of members into the IRDC should flow from the Olare-Aja (traditional heads) of the communities.

    It was learnt that the monarch directed the management of Chevron to be briefed on the development, insisting that the time when cliques usurp traditional authorities and hijack the group’s commonwealth was over.

    Nevertheless, our findings showed that Ogiame’s pronouncement could set the tone for future developments in the kingdom even as there were hints that it could pitch the king against a clique controlling the lucrative IRDC.

    “We know that the criminal elements within the kingdom may want to undermine the Olu, but he has the support of leading Itsekiri leaders, the people and he has the traditional authority to do whatever he does.”

  • Council to rid markets of rats

    Residents of Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State have been advised to maintain proper hygiene to guard against the spread of Lassa fever.

    The council’s Executive Secretary Abiodun Orekoya gave the charege during the deratisation of Oyediran and Alarape markets, organised by the Lagos State Local Government Association of Environmental Officers.

    Orekoya hailed the association’s gesture to eradicate rats in the markets.

    He said the council has established a Health Vanguard Gang to clean the environment.

    The group’s president Samuel Akingbehin said rats are susceptible to the spread Lassa fever.

    Akingbehin said all precautionary measures should be embraced to guard against the spread the fever.

    The Iya-Oloja of Somolu Local Government Area, Chief Modupe Olafojude solicited cooperation of the members for the success of the exercise.

  • Residents hail council over roads

    Residents of Egbe Idimu Local Council Development Area have praised the Executive Secretary Kunle Olowoopejo for fixing roads in the council that had been in deplorable condition.

    A community leader, Chief Jebutu Oladipupo said previous council chairmen never bothered with repairing bad roads.

    Olowoopejo, who led state monitoring officers from the Ministry of Local Government to two of the road sites, appealled to officers of the state Water Cooperation to liaise with the contractor handling the Community Road, Egbe, to ensure the project is completed on schedule.

    He made the appeal following complaints by the community leaders in Egbe that the officers threatened to open the water pipe which had not been functioning for months if the council failed to consult with them adequately.

    Olowoopejo said: “Water Corporation is an agency of the state. The Local Government is the baby of the state. The water is meant for the residents. The roads are also meant to ease the burden of the people, so we must work in harmony in order to achieve the mega city status of the state.”

    The council road currently under construction was where first Secretariat of Alimosho Local Government Area was located before it was relocated to Ikotun Market area.

    When completed, it will ease the traffic congestion around the Popular council bus stop.

  • Council begins road construction

    Council begins road construction

    Sequel to the bidding for the construction of two roads in Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) few weeks ago, Properties Limited won the bidding to construct Ettal Memunat Ayodeji Street Oregun, Olusosun and Olorunnisola Street. The construction firm has already moved to site and work had already begun.

    After an inspection tour to the construction sites, the Executive Secretary of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Mustapha Abiola, expressed his satisfaction over the commitment of the contractor handling the project. He also expressed his happiness over the quality of work being done by the construction firm. He promised to give necessary supports to the firm to enable it to execute the job according to specifications and also to enable it to deliver the job as scheduled.

     

  • Council resolves traders, road union feud

    Mushin Local Government Executive Secretary Babajide Bello has brokered peace between Ago-Ishaga Market traders and transport workers.

    Bello, who invited the parties to a peace meeting, said nothing could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour and disharmony.

    Better communication and understanding, he said, should be sought always whenever there is misunderstanding.

    The Iyaloja, Alhaja Abibatu Alashe, accused the transport workers headed by Sina Oloko and Sule Adio of planning to demolish part of the market and extending their own area without permission. She implored the executive secretary to stop them.

    Oloko refuted the claim, saying ongoing work in the market by the government may be responsible for its “physical changes”.

    Bello said his office should be briefed on any planned physical and developmental work in the market to avert crisis.

  • Council holds stakeholders’ meeting

    Council holds stakeholders’ meeting

    The Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has held its stakeholders’ meeting at the council’s secretariat. Supervisor for Agriculture, Femi Ibile said the stakeholders’ meeting was aimed at carrying them along in the council’s activities such as construction of the two roads within the community.

    The Executive Secretary of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Jaiye Alabi said notice has been given from the Lagos State government that all gated streets in the community must be open from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

    He added that between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. security must be put in place to prevent criminals from unleashing their deadly acts on the residents.

    Alabi further said that a law has been enacted by state government and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is continuing with the law which the past governors worked with, even as he is working with all communities to see that things are fulfilled.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary has advised stakeholders to take care of their environment and be careful of the kind of foods they eat to avoid contracting Lassa fever.

    He urged them not to eat foods which rat has eaten or urinated on, adding that foodstuffs must be kept properly to avoid rat urinating or eating them.

    “Cleanliness is next to godliness, health is wealth. We will carry out our responsibility with the little income we make to fumigate, sanitise and give access to the community

    .”We are trying to get a firm dealing with fumigation to reduce Lassa fever.

    “Governance is about information, governance is about communication. It is better we are informed on what is going from the government to the people so that they will assist us.

    “There are some efforts the community must also do so that the government will wake up for their assistance. He called on the Community Development Association (CDA) to work together with the Community Development Council (CDC) to improve the community.

    He praised the past administration for its commitment to road construction, most especially Ejigbo-Ilamose Canoe-Ajao Link Road.

    “Roads are the problems of Ejigbo. To ease the flow of gridlock, Lagos State government in conjunction with Ejigbo council have started constructing Peter Agha/January 27 Street (mass burial bridge) to link Ilamose – Canoe Bridge.

    “Also, construction of Lafenwa-Coker and Fadu Street also is going on. Twenty-three culverts have been constructed while 33 streets have been graded. Fifty citizens of the community will be trained as environment officers to arrest those who litter the streets with dirt. He said the community must be clean.

    He pleaded that the “change” promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) must start with the people.