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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos pledges improved health care

    The Lagos State government has said it is set to improve the quality of health care delivery across the state.

    It urged patients to report feedback on their experiences to hospital managements.

    Health Commissioner Dr Jide Idris said this at the inaugural stakeholders’ forum hosted by Alimosho General Hospital Igando, with the theme: Improving Quality of Healthcare Delivery to Our Clients.

    Idris, who was represented by a Service Improvement Officer in the ministry, Mrs. Joan Oluyemi, noted that the satisfaction of patients should be made a priority of every hospital in the state.

    The commissioner said the determination of the state government to provide satisfactory service to Lagos residents informed the Service Charter initiative in the state’s public service, especially in the Health sector.

    He noted that the initiative, which is aimed at meeting with clients’ satisfaction, allows for compliant redress and feedback.

    According to him, compliant boxes have been placed at strategic locations on hospital premises for patients to lodge their complaints, make remarks or commendations.

    Idris noted that to further improve healthcare delivery among the residents, the state government introduced health insurance scheme, which will kick off next year.

    The commissioner said the periodic training and retraining of medical personnel by the state government had enhanced effectiveness and efficiency in the Health sector.

    The Medical Director of Alimosho General Hospital at Igando, Dr. Madewa Adebajo, emphasised the need for the public, especially the patients patronising government-owned hospitals, to always insist on quality service delivery and provide necessary feedbacks for service improvement to hospital management.

    He said the inaugural stakeholders’ forum underscored the state government’s approach and interest in the Health sector.

    Idris urged Nigerians to imbibe a good diet culture, regular exercise and medical check-up, at least once in a year.

    The commissioner said precautionary measures were safer, cheaper and better for improved health of the residents.

    A representative of State Health Service Commission and pioneer Medical Director of Alimosho General Hospital at Igando, Dr. Adewale Adebiyi, lauded the government’s overhauling of the hospital and the provision of more workers, infrastructure and equipment.

    He added that for the nation’s health care delivery system to be effectively improved upon, serious attention must be paid to workers’ attitude as well as the employment of more competent medical workers to match the state’s fast-growing population, besides the provision of adequate infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment.

  • Lagos launches waste full-scale war on indiscriminate disposal

    Lagos launches waste full-scale war on indiscriminate disposal

    The Lagos State Government has launched a full-scale war on indiscriminate disposal of waste by warning that anyone caught violating environmental laws within the state will face the full wrath of the law.

    The state’s Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, made the declaration at an interactive session with media men in Lagos during the week.

    Adejare spoke against the backdrop of the worsening situation where some Lagos residents have formed the habit of dumping waste at illegal spots, thereby sabotaging on-going efforts to rid Lagos State of filth.

    He noted with concern that soon after littered black spots and illegal dumping sites were cleared, some residents would return and dump waste at the same spots. He admonished residents to use approved and legitimate dumping sites to dispose their refuse to avoid arrest and prosecution.

    “The Cleaner Lagos Initiative was borne out of the need for Lagos to employ the operating standards adopted by other countries in the area of waste management. With the introduction of the CLI, we have launched a full-scale war on improper waste management within the state. The CLI is the solution to the recurring complaints about the manner waste is disposed within the state. I have no doubt that it will be a huge success when we roll it out fully by next year,” said the commissioner.

    Taking a cue from Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who advised Lagos residents during his budget presentation speech to pay their Public Utility Levy (PUL), Adejare stated that the PUL is a consolidated fee replacing former waste charges collected by the government from property owners and residents, positing that the new policy would help in optimising efficiency in the waste management process. He enjoined Lagosians to pay their bills promptly.

    On the dispute between Private Sector Participants (PSPs) and the Lagos State Government, Adejare said the PSPs lack the capacity to handle the over 10,000 metric tonnes of waste generated in Lagos daily in an effective and scientific manner, adding that Lagosians would see the impact of the new arrangement when it becomes fully implemented. He added that Governor Ambode has mandated officials of the state to ensure that the PSPs were accommodated in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, believing that indigenous operators must play a part in the process.

     

  • Waste major cause of pollution in Lagos Lagoon – NPA

    Waste major cause of pollution in Lagos Lagoon – NPA

    The Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) on Friday identified municipal waste as major materials causing pollution in Lagos Lagoon.

    Mr Yunusa Ibrahim, the Principal Manager, Environment Department of NPA said this in Lagos during an interview.

    According to him, most municipal waste that ends up in the Lagoon gathers around the harbour areas in the morning and disappears to the other sides in the evening.

    ‘‘The environment department of NPA always creates awareness in the communities around the water areas on proper waste disposal and how poor waste management comes back to affect them negatively.

    ‘‘It is difficult to control the waste habits of the communities and also check the flow of municipal waste from channels into the Lagoon.

    ‘‘The department carries out daily surveillance of the channels emptying water into the Lagoon and also clean- up the waste as it affects ships badly.

    ‘‘Waste causes serious problems when it enters moving vessels,’’ he said.

    Read also: Ondo Govt. tasks NPA on modern facilities

    Ibrahim said that waste from vessels that berthed at the harbour was not disposed into the lagoon as there were companies outsourced to do it in line with international law.

    Ibrahim said that the NPA’s environment department had equipment to clean up oil spills in the ocean and the Lagoon.

    He said that the department drilled its pollution response squad monthly to effectively carry out clean-up of water areas any where pollution occurred within the nation’s territorial waters.

    NAN

  • ‘Lagos owes its prosperity to robust planning, procurement’

    ‘Lagos owes its prosperity to robust planning, procurement’

    Robust planning, procurement and budgeting techniques employed by  the Lagos State government made it a model and one of the strong economies in Africa.

    Its Ministry of Economic Planning & Budget Permanent Secretary, Mr. Kadiri Aboyomi Adebisi, who stated this in Lagos, said the state was  harmonising its planning and budgeting with stakeholders in view of her long-term strategic plan for 2025.

    He spoke at a sensitisation and advocacy workshop on planning reforms and procurement for the chairmen and legislative leaders in Lagos.

    He said the idea was to introduce officials of local governments to budget and planning, which are key to the state’s prosperity

    Adebisi added that the state government was harmonising the template to get every level of governance to have the same vision and plan.

    Earlier, Local Governments Auditor-General Mr. Olatunji Jimoh advised the local government chairmen on the need to translate their promises into concrete action. He urged them on the need for systematic allocation of resources on performance targets.

    Jimoh, who was represented by the Director, Planning, Research & Development Directorate, Rev. Mcewen Lamai, reiterated that no meaningful development could be achieved without proper planning and budgeting.

    Stressing the importance of budgeting, he said: “The approved budget is the expenditure authority derived from law, appropriation bill for an entity to apply specified funds from its revenue for identified purposes. The budget established authority for expenditure on specified items and the legal limit within which an entity must operate.”

  • 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

  • Girl docked for rice, vegetable oil theft

    Girl docked for rice, vegetable oil theft

    A sales girl, Sylvanus Blessing, who allegedly stole bags of rice and vegetable oil valued at N793, 000, was on Thursday docked before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.

    Sylvanus, 21, who works at No. 21, Ogudu Road in Ojota area of Lagos, and resides at Ogba, is facing a charge of stealing.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Ihiehie Lucky, told the court that on December 11, the complainant, Mrs Nnamdi Francisca, owner of the shop, reported the case at Ogudu Police Station.

    Ihiehie said that the complainant discovered that her shop had been broken in and goods worth over N700, 000 were missing.

    “The sales girl has been working with the complainant for over four months and has been with the shop keys since then,’’ he said.

    Ihiehie said on December 10, the accused dropped the keys with the second sales girl and disappeared.

    In the process, the complainant discovered that many bags of rice and a gallon of grounding oil were missing during the period the accused was in charge of the shop’s keys.

    “In all, 30 bags of 50kg rice, 20 bags of 25kg of rice, 10 bags of 12 kg of rice, 15 bags of 5kg rice and 25 litres of vegetable oil were missing in the shop.

    Read also: Guard in court over alleged theft in church

    “The total value of the items stolen in the shop is N 793, 000,’’ he said.

    The offence contravened Section 285 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

    According to reports, The accused risks seven years imprisonment upon conviction.

    The accused, has however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule Amzat, granted the accused bail of N100, 000 with two sureties, who must be gainfully employed.

    The case was adjourned until January 29, 2018.

    NAN

  • Nine ships arrive Lagos ports with petroleum products

    Nine ships arrive Lagos ports with petroleum products

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Thursday said three out of nine ships waiting to berth in Lagos ports contained petrol.

    The ports authority said this in its daily `Shipping Position’ released in Lagos.

    The document indicated that the remaining six ships were laden with diesel, bulk maize, bulk fertiliser and aviation fuel.

    It said that 29 other ships with petroleum products, food items and other goods consignments were expected in Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports between Dec. 14 and Dec. 30.

    “The expected ships are carrying buck wheat, containers, general cargoes, bulk steel products, bulk sugar, bulk gypsum, crude palm olein, empty containers, diesel and aviation fuel,” NPA said.

    Read Also: Return of fuel queues

     

  • Man in court for alleged laptop theft

    Man in court for alleged laptop theft

    A 38-year-old man, Samuel Urhuogo, on Wednesday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged theft of five laptops worth N505,000.

    Urhuogo, who resides at Festac Town area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused committed the offences with some others still at large on October 20 at Durbar Road, Amuwo Odofin, Festac Town, Lagos.

    Kokoye said that the accused broke into the shop of the complainant, one Ada Opurozor, and stole the laptops.

    He said the accused was caught by some security guards while he was trying to escape with his accomplices.

    “The accused was later handed over to the police, while accomplices escaped with the laptops,’’ he said.

    Kokoye said the offences contravened Sections 287, 309 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

    Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 309 prescribes seven years imprisonment for burglary.

    Read also: Court remands man for tricycle theft

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty the charge.

    In his ruling, the Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until December 29, for mention.

    NAN

  • Woman bites Ikeja Electric workers over power disconnection

    Woman bites Ikeja Electric workers over power disconnection

    A 28-year-old trader, Kemi Shopade, who allegedly assaulted two Ikeja Electric workers that wanted to disconnect her electricity wire, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Shopade, resident of Alaguntan, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, is being tried for conspiracy and assault.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, said that the accused committed the offences on November 24, at her residence.

    Awase said that the accused and two others, who had yet to be apprehended, assaulted two workers of Ikeja Electric — Mr John Oluwole and Mr Uwaoman Ibiam.

    “The accused beat up and bit the complainants while performing their duty,” he said.

    He said that the complainants disconnected the electricity supply of the accused over unpaid electricity bills from January.

    “The accused, who had not paid for electricity since the beginning of the year, descended on the complainants when they disconnected her power supply.

    “The two other men who are still at large joined her in beating the complainants, and in the process, the accused bit the complainants.

    “The case was reported to the police and the accused was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

    The offences contravened Sections 174 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    Section 174 prescribes three years jail term for a person guilty of assault.

    Read also: Court jails man, son for attacking Ikeja disco worker

    The accused, however, pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N20,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    The Magistrate, Mr J.A. Adigun, said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    He adjourned the case until January 5 for mention.

    NAN

  • 20 years after, Fed Govt cedes Presidential Lodge to Lagos

    20 years after, Fed Govt cedes Presidential Lodge to Lagos

    •Ambode says asset will boost economy

    THE final papers on the transfer of the Presidential Lodge on Marina to the Lagos State government were signed in Abuja yesterday.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Works, Power & Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola signed the documents on behalf of the federal and Lagos governments at the at the Works, Power & Housing ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja.

    Yesterday’s final handing over came 20 years after the Lagos State government showed interest in taking over the management of the edifice that once served as Presidential Lodge.

    Speaking after the signing, Ambode said the asset transfer will not only boost the state’s economy, but, shore up the tourism potential of the Centre of Excellence.

    He described the development as a testament of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to bring a positive change to the national’s industrial hub.

    Besides commending the President, Ambode laos lauded the roles played by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Fashola (his successor), officials of the ministry,  and the permanent secretary in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, as well as other stakeholders, who ensured the final transfer of the asset to Lagos.

    The governor said: “We are strongly delighted to be here on this historic day; on a day that actually finalises the intention of Mr. President to bring positive change to Lagos.

    “We want to sincerely appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari who has graciously approved that the Presidential Lodge be released to Lagos State and for the use of Lagos State which, just has said by the Minister, we have been trying to get for the last 20 years.

    “We are pleased that on a day like this, it is my predecessor and present Minister of Works who is now doing the final handing over of which he had also been part of that process to get this asset back to Lagos but in God’s own doing, the Minister is in the position today to do the final documentation and we are very grateful for that.”

    Alluding to the fact that the development was a sign of greater collaboration between the federal and Lagos State governments, the governor described the transfer as the beginning of a process for the state to take over the management of more federal assets.

    Ambode reassured that his administration will put the edifice to good use and transform it into a national monument to boost tourism and grow the economy of Lagos and Nigeria.

    He said: “This is a sign of greater things and greater collaboration between the Federal Government and Lagos State. We believe strongly that this singular gesture is part of what will improve the economy of Lagos because our intention is to turn that particular asset into a national monument where we can christen it a National Heritage Centre for Leadership and we will use it also as a tourist centre to bring Nigerians and foreigners to come to Nigeria and as well use that as a means of improving on the economy of Lagos State and Nigeria.

    “On a final note, I want to show my sincere appreciation to the Minister and hope that this particular event will bring more good stories as we continue to see how much we can strive to get some of these assets back to Lagos State.”

    Fashola congratulated his successor and Lagosians for the N1.04 trillion budget estimates, presented by the governor to the State House of Assembly on Monday.

    He expressed the hope that the proposal will improve quality service delivery to the people of the state.

    According to the minister, the signing of the document formally vests ownership of the Presidential Lodge in the State sovernment, describing it as a fulfillment of the promise made by President Buhari.

    He said: “It is gratifying that the long journey spanning, about two decades, had finally come to an end. This is a long journey that has come to an end; a journey that has taken almost two decades when the Lagos State Government asked that the property be vested in Lagos but for reasons that remained difficult to understand it did not happen but the President of change who is a promise keeper has made it happen.”

    At the historic transfer were: Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Tunji Bello; Information & Strategy Commissioner Steve Ayorinde and his Waterfront Infrastructure Development counterpart Adebowale Akinsanya.