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Tag: Fashola

  • Fashola, Oracle consolidate partnership in Dubai

    Fashola, Oracle consolidate partnership in Dubai

    Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and Oracle Corporation have consolidated their relationship that will see the state deploy the technolgy firm’s products in delivering services to the people of the state.

    The governor and his team visited the United Arab Emirate (UAE) to consolidate on their already collaboration between the tech giants and the state government in delivering better e-government services.

    According to a statement, the visit provided Oracle the opportunity to showcase its e-business suite to the governments of Abu-Dhabi and Dubai and to introduce the Governor Fashola and his team to other heads of state in UAE for better cooperation and articulation of the state’s requirements on Oracle’s e-Business Suite (eBS).

    The governor recalled that the relationship between the state and Oracle dated back to 2001 when the state first deployed Oracle eBS, adding that presently, the tech firm is being used to run all the state financial, human resource, purchasing, inventory management, fixed assets and others. He added that the state is looking at deepening its use of eBS as part of the new initiative to deliver e-services to the citizens

    According to the governor, through the Ministry of Science and Technology, the state will collaborate with the Dubai Free Trade Zone in the use of Oracle eBS for enterprise resource planning, and a robust mobile solution.

    In Abu Dhabi, the governor was received by the Head of Government, Dr. Mohammad Ahmed, who showcased the government’s deployment of Oracle eBS in  their shared services platform. He explained that it is a single platform that serves all facets of the government, increasing effectiveness, efficiency and lowering cost of  IT from about AED 636m to AED36m.  The governor also visited the  Abu-Dhabi Polytechnic where a programme exists to build nuclear reactors for electricity generation where the authorities agreed to work with the governor   in knowledge transfer through sending a delegation to understudy the state.

    The President/ Head Application Business Unit for Oracle, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Arun Khehar, assured the governor of its willingness to help the government achieve what Abu Dhabi achieved by sending one of the experts that worked extensively on the Abu-Dhabi project to assist the state.

    While taking the team through presentations on the deployment of a smart-city, he said urban performance depends not only on the city’s endowment of hard infrastructure but increasingly so, on the availability and quality of knowledge communication and social infrastructure.

    With this, the state government will be working with Oracle on the deployment of its smart city.

  • Fashola: Lagos is vulnerable to global warming

    Fashola: Lagos is vulnerable to global warming

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has said the state is vulnerable to the negative effects of global warming.

    Governor Fashola spoke at the sixth anniversary of climate change clubs in schools at the Nigeria Police College in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, urged Lagosians to be part of the government’s effort to correct mistakes of the past.

    He said the establishment of the clubs in primary and secondary schools was part of strategic efforts to combat the negative effects of climate change, adding that as future leaders, children must be prepared to take up the challenges ahead.

    Fashola said: “For us in Lagos State, we are vulnerable to the effects of global warming. The establishment of climate change clubs in our schools is part of our strategic and complementary efforts to correct the mistakes of the past.

    “I believe I do not need to emphasis that our children are the future of this nation. They will be the next parents and leaders who will take over the running of our families and, most especially, the affairs of this country when we are no more. If we do not teach them what is right, they will not escape doing what is wrong.”

    The governor said young people do not want to inherit a world damaged by climate change and want to be part of creating solutions.

    He said: “Young people have shown their potentials at various fora across the world through their creative thinking and inventions. Today, they have brought positive thoughts and creativity to global intergovernmental processes, demanding concrete action from their governments.”

    Commissioner for Environment Tunji Bello said climate change clubs are agents of positive change and vehicles of transformation.

  • Chibok abduction, a defining period for Nigeria – Fashola

    Chibok abduction, a defining period for Nigeria – Fashola

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Monday described the abduction of 276 schoolgirls at Chibok in Borno State, by the Boko Haram sect as a dark experience in the life of the country.

    He, however, expressed optimism that the development could give birth to a new dawn for the country.

    Fashola spoke to several groups of women, men and youths who took to streets of Lagos to continue their demand for the release of the girls.

    Receiving the protesters at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, the governor commended them for standing in solidarity with the girls and their parents, but reminded them that information on the efforts to secure their release may not be made public.

    “Sometimes there may be a sense of safety in managing more information more closely as the rescue operation goes on in order not to compromise safety of the people we are seeking to rescue.

    “This for me is general global practice. But I don’t know what the situation is currently is. As we ask for information, we must have that at the back of our minds.

    “I should just add is that Chibok incident is a very dark experience for our nation. It is a difficult time for our nation but it may yet be our most defining moment. It will be defining if we can find children; it will be defining, if after that happens, we can keep this sense of brotherhood and sisterhood alive. Many nations have turned for greatness when they are faced with dark time like this.

    “The sense of brotherhood, the sense of commitment where ethnicity and religion do not matter anymore is a sense that we should go forward with life after Chibok. That is why I said it may yet be our most defining moment,” Fashola said.

    Another group, Women Arise Initiative, led scores of women to mount pressure on government to do more to secure the release of the girls.

    Music artiste, Femi Kuti, who joined the protest, said there was the need to put pressure on the Federal Government to get the girls released, saying it was sad that it took government about three weeks to come to term that 234 girls had been kidnapped.

  • Insecurity: Fashola reiterates need for state police

    Insecurity: Fashola reiterates need for state police

    Gov Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has advised the National Assembly to make laws to allow for establishment of state police in view of the security challenges in the country.

    The governor made the call at the 11th Lagos State Executive and Legislative Parley in Lagos on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the parley had the theme: “Public Sector Management Engineering: The Continuing Story of Lagos”.

    According to him, the current security challenges demanded that the country adopted a new and different approach to address the problem.

    Fashola said that state police held prospects to address the country’s security issues.

    “The most urgent and compelling challenge our nation face now is that of security, law and order.

    “Of course, security, law and order are the very foundation of good governance and economic growth.

    “I believe the time has come for our national legislators to dig deep as no nation can have the kind of security challenge and refuse to be imaginative about law enforcement.

    “Whatever the arguments and fears about state police may be, the truth is that we have nothing to fear, but fear itself.

    “We must find the courage to do something new to bring collaborative capacity to law enforcement.

    “To the best of my knowledge, the constitution prescribes perhaps there shall be one police force, but it has not forbidden multi-level policing.

    “I believe very seriously that legislators can be imaginative and make a law that lives within the confines of the law to allow multi-level policing,” he said.

    Fashola also urged legislators to review the National Inland Waterways Decree to strengthen water transportation in the states.

    He contended that the laws limited the powers of states to freely use their inland waters as it placed the control of such waterways in the hands of the Federal Government.

    “Through that law today, our capacity to effectively operate our water transport is being impeded by federal agencies like the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

    “They require us to apply for permits to build jetties and terminals whereas water transportation is a concurrent matter under the constitution.

    “So, it is anomalous for NIWA to ask us to seek permission before building such facilities.

    “This is the time to review that law because it affects all the coastal states in Nigeria,” he said.

    Fashola advocated stronger relationship between the legislature and executive to deliver democratic dividends to the citizens.

    Mr Muslim Folami, Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Powers Bureau, said the parley was a platform for political office holders to brainstorm on ways to move the state forward.

    “So far, we have had 10 parleys which ended with various life changing resolutions to guide government on how best to move the state and nation forward,” he said.

    The parley was attended by federal and state lawmakers, chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as members of the state executive council.

    Some of those at the occasion included Speaker of the State Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji , Sen. Ganiyu Solomon, Rep. Yakub Balogun and the state APC Deputy Chairman, Mr James Odunbaku.

    Prof. Ademola Popoola of Obafemi Awlolowo University delivered a lecture titled: “Towards Consolidating and Improving the Gains of Democracy in Lagos”.

  • Fashola orders compulsory use of Life Jackets

    Fashola orders compulsory use of Life Jackets

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has ordered the compulsory use of life jacket on Lagos waterways.

    He gave the directives yesterday while distributing life jackets in Ebute-Ojo Jetty located in Ojo area.

    He said the state government took up the responsibility of providing the Life Jackets to avert loss of lives in case accidents occur on its waterways.

    He said: “We have come here to flag- off compulsory use of Life Vests on our waterways. Ordinarily this should have been the responsibility of our boat operators to procure and provide this as part of their services, but because we understand that many of them are small businesses struggling for survival government has again taking the lead to provide these life vest free. We will do so gradually across all the water points of Lagos.

    “I like to appeal to all passengers whether on locally made canoes, Motor boats or the more sophisticated ferries that now ply our waterways must insist that the boat operators must provide them life jackets because we are going to issue those life vests and all the operators must also insist that every passenger on their boat must wear that life vest or disembark the passenger. This is all about safety

     He assured that the life jackets and officers of Lagos Water Guards Corps will ensure safety of the passengers.

    “We will continue to do our best to make our waterways safe. We have started the dredging, continuous signing by lifebuoys. We have completed the dredging of this place up to Lagos Island and we have installed lifebuoys which are the navigational signs of boat operators.

    “I have just been briefed this morning that one the lifebuoys has been stolen. If government provides facilities to aid and assist our lives and safety, and some unscrupulous people remove it. That means community leaders owe us responsibility to be vigilant. Those who do that are saboteurs and must be expose.”

    The governor also informed that about 1.6million people currently ply the state waterways monthly.

    “Very soon we will complete the concessioning  of other water terminals in the state and we expect to see increased passengers using the Lagos waterways.

    Earlier, the state commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa said the provision of the 2000  life jackets was the first phase of the 10, 000 life jackets earmarked for distribution.

    He said the state government in addition has continued to carry out massive awareness campaign on water transportation safety in the state.

  • Fashola orders compulsory use of life jackets

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has ordered the compulsory use of life jacket on Lagos waterways.

    Governor Fashola gave the directives on Thursday while distributing life jackets in Ebute -Ojo Jetty located in Ojo area of the state.

    He said the state government took up the responsibility of providing the life jackets to avert further loss of lives in case accidents occur on its waterway

    The governor said, “We have come here to flag- off compulsory use of life vests on our waterways. Ordinarily this should have been the responsibility of our boat operators to procure and provide as part of their services, but because we understand that many of them are small businesses struggling for survival, government has again taking the lead to provide these life vest free. We will do so gradually across all the water points of Lagos.

    “I like to appeal to all passengers whether on locally made canoes, motor boats or the more sophisticated ferries that now ply our waterways must insist that the boat operators must provide them life jackets because we are going to issue those life vests and all the operators must also insist that every passenger on their boat must wear that life vest or disembark the passenger. This is all about safety.

    “We will continue to do our best to make our waterways safe. We have started the dredging, continuous signing by lifebuoys. We have completed the dredging of this place up to Lagos Island and we have installed lifebuoys which are the navigational signs of boat operators.”

  • Fashola to Labour: don’t blackmail govt with strikes

    Fashola to Labour: don’t blackmail govt with strikes

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has advised Labour unions to stop blackmailing the government with strikes.

    The governor noted that Labour should always explore amicable ways of resolving industrial disputes with governments and their employers.

    Fashola spoke yesterday during the May Day celebration at Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

    The governor said the frequent use of industrial actions to pursue workers’ cause undermined productivity.

    He said: “Strikes, for me, should be used only as a last resort. It is perhaps the vehicle that is used only when other options have failed, not when the management of a union is angry with an employer. We cannot achieve anything when we are quarrelling.

    “If you read the Nigerian Labour Law and follow the process in the law, you will realise that it is not even easy to go on strike.

    “I don’t know, for example, how many people who participate in strikes know that if you participate in an illegal strike, you can be liable for conviction of a criminal offence.

    “In essence, strikes don’t do anybody any good. It decreases productivity and affects progress and development of any society. There are lots of strikes embarked upon which workers themselves don’t know the reason or purpose for.”

    Fashola expressed sadness over the abduction of schoolgirls by the Boko Haram in Borno State.

    The governor urged Labour to unite against insecurity.

    He reiterated the commitment of his administration to improve workers’ welfare.

    The state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Akeem Kazeem regretted that workers were no longer enjoying good life because of increasing insecurity, bad economy and lack of good infrastructure.

    He said Nigeria was the least-paying employer of Labour in the world.

    The state Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman Idowu Adelakun urged all tiers of government to make the welfare of workers a priority.

    He said there was no way the country would realise its vision 20:20:20, if the welfare of workers was not given priority.

  • Fashola advocates regional integration globally

    Fashola advocates regional integration globally

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has restated his call for regional integration as a development model across the globe.

    Hosting the Head of the European Union’s (EU’s) delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion at the State House in Marina, Fashola stressed the need for cooperation among nations.

    He said: “It is interesting that you hold the view that regional integration will soon catch up with the rest of the world. Size is important, but collaboration is also important. Team work can produce amazing results”.

    Fashola said the success of such collaboration would depend on how the integrating nations playing their individual roles and act in the interest of the team.

    He said such arrangements sometimes run into murky waters when some of the collaborating nations feel others are not playing their roles well.

    The governor said: “I know that in some of these arrangements, some people feel they are doing more than they should and some feel they are doing less than they should.”

    Using the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as an example of regional integration, he said: “I should know because Nigeria is not just a member of ECOWAS but a driver of ECOWAS. The integration of West African states is not without its problems and benefits. Of course, it is a model in the making; there is nothing in the world that is perfect.”

    Arrion said he was in Lagos to foster a better relationship between the state and the EU, adding that he had some experience in handling West African affairs, having worked in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia.

    He said he was ready to share the EU’s experiences with Lagos, describing the organisation as “the most achieved integration union in the world”.

    At the occasion were Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Ben Akabueze; his Commerce and Industry counterpart, Mrs. Olusola Oworu; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Foreign Affairs Ms. Caxton-Martins and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Hakeem Bello.

    Arrion was accompanied by the EU’s First Secretary, Head of Trade and Economic Section, Mr. Massimo De Luca, and the Economic Officer, Mr. Ibi Ikpoki.

  • Fashola restates case for non-central wage policy

    Fashola restates case for non-central wage policy

    Acentral wage policy is not sustainable in the country, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said.
    Fashola who spoke in Lagos when he received members of the Senior Executive Course 36 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in Kuru, Jos, including some Permanent Secretaries in the State who have also undergone the course, said each state should be allowed to pay what it considers appropriate and sustainable.

    He explained that the cost of living differs from state to state, just as states do not get the same amount of revenue from the Federation Account. He said it is impracticable to prescribe “a one- size- fits- all” for all the federating states as it concerns salary payment because even if such is forced down the throat of some states, such compulsion would not be sustainable, as states may not be able to cope.

    Fashola recalled that the idea of discriminatory wage originated from the defunct Western Region of Nigeria, noting that when it was being paid then, the other regions were paying less to their workers.

    He explained that each time the state tends to disagree with the clamour for a unified minimum wage, it is not because government is unconcerned about the welfare of its workers, because often times, it has always led from the front in terms of improved welfare packages for the work force.

    Noting that strikes should be the last, rather than the first option, Fashola said part of what he finds very worrisome is the fact that even when the state has no industrial issues with its workforce, the workers often join the national body on solidarity strikes thus crippling the system.

    Every strike, the Governor explained, injures the workers more because the mindset of every employer is resource optimization and profitability and that when it is reduced the impact would also be felt by the workers.

    The Governor informed that according to the law that regulates strikes, there are several conditions such as the holding of a congress by the workers who intend to embark on the strike and the approval of same through the sponsoring of a motion that must be seconded before such a strike can commence.

    He said at such congress there must be a record of those who voted to support the strike and those who were against it, adding that on the contrary in some instances, strikes are commenced by union leaders without informing the members of the reasons for such industrial actions.

    The Governor believed that most of the strikes that are embarked upon will not pass the tests prescribed for regulating such actions by the law but that, as a law abiding government, the state is always expecting that the rules would be applied in terms of strike actions.

    He added that although the state is always ready to negotiate with its workers on improved packages, as their welfare remains uppermost, government is also answerable to the larger public in terms of the totality of resources and cannot use all its resources in paying salaries of workers alone.

  • Fashola presents prizes to registered Lagosians

    IT was an unusual day when some residents were personally given gifts by Governor Fashola for registering with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA).

    The registration, which has been ongoing, saw some people emerging as lucky winners when their numbers were announced among the 100,000 to 500,000 winners in the list of registered residents.

    While some got home appliances such as deep freezers, fridges, the luckiest of all the winners was three-years-old Master Somtochukwu David Okolie who emerged as the 400,000 registered Lagosian and won a bicycle and his mother carted away other gifts.

    At the event, Governor Fashola encouraged all residents to register noting that it is a governmental, centralised, trustworthy and comprehensive source of information that would assist the state with decision-making process and allocation of resources as it contains important and vital information about residents of the state.

    Shedding more light on the activities of the agency, the General Manager, LASRRA, Ms Yinka Fashola who spoke to The Nation in her office in Ikeja encouraged people to take advantage of the massive resources deployed by government to bring the registration centres close to their residencies and places of businesses. She said the registration card is produced and issued at no cost to all residents while registration is equally done free of charge.

    She said initially the agency moved at a slow pace but is now up to speed as they have established permanent stations in all Local Government and Council Development Areas of the state.

    Ms Fashola who hinted that the agency will unleash over 1,000 registration and field officers in Epe followed by Badagry and lastly Lagos Island and Ikeja, in two weeks time, further disclosed that they will use schools as focal points because of the space for ease of registration and parking of cars for those who would drive in to register. She, however, refuted the insinuation in some quarters that the registration is for taxation purposes, insisting that nowhere in the registration process are questions asked to disclose people’s income.

    She said, rather, the process is to help government capture the demographic statistics of the people for good and even development.

    She said: “Our data collection is anonymous, the information is not people specific but in general terms such as knowing the number of residents in a particular street or local government.

    Government needs to know where a particular infrastructure is most needed for instance to know how many children are under four years or the number of women of child bearing age, age bracket of working class residents and the statistics of non economically active people. This will help for instance in projecting the location of children hospital, expansion of schools, transportation services and other strategic infrastructure.”