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Tag: Lagos Assembly

  • Lagos Assembly re-orders 2015 budget

    Lagos Assembly re-orders 2015 budget

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has approved the re-ordering of this year’s  budget of the state government as requested by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The House at plenary yesterday approved N19, 743, 164, 323 for capital expenditure and N5, 697, 089, 009 for recurrent expenditure bringing the total sum approved  to N25, 440, 253, 332.

    The House also admonished the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to henceforth do a quarterly review of approved budget to enhance effectiveness and determine level of compliance by the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

    The total budget size for year 2015 however did not change, it remains N489.690billion; while N241,977billion is for recurrent expenditure and N247,713billion is capital expenditure

    The House transferred budgetary allocation that may not be fully utilised by some MDAs before the end of the year to other MDAs that are in need of the funds.

    The House, among others, approved N3.5billion for the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for special building projects and an additional N1.1billion for the completion of on-going projects for the defunct Ministry of Rural Development.

    It also approved N3.9billion as special expenditure while a total sum of N3.8billion was approved for security and emergency intervention and N2billion was approved as contingency fund.

    Other MDAs that received additional allocation include Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Office of Chief of Staff and others.

    The House also said the take-off grants of the newly created MDAs be defrayed from the special expenditure votes and general overhead cost.

    Ambode had last week presented letter to the House titled: “Re-ordering of priorities under the 2015 Budget” in which he requested for re-ordering of the budget.

    According to the letter, the governor listed the reasons for the re-ordering to include construction of a pedestrian bridge at Ojodu Berger, construction of fly-over bridges at Ajah Roundabout and Pen Cinema, Agege.

    The letter added that the budget re-ordering proposal would cater for the continuation of the construction of blue light rail project, continuation of the construction of the Lekki-Epe Expressway and acquisition of emergency/rescue helicopters and heavy duty equipment (cranes and forklift) and for Employment Trust Fund and Wealth Creation Programmes.

  • Lagos Assembly petitioned on eviction

    Lagos Assembly petitioned on eviction

    A group, the Justice & Empowerment Initiative Nigeria (JEI), yesterday marched on the Lagos State House of Assembly protesting an alleged illegal eviction of residents of former School of Nursing building on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    A statement by the body’s coordinator, Mrs. Megan Chapman, said: “We were contacted by our sister organisation, the Centre for Defence of Human Rights and Democracy (CDHRDA), which was on the site documenting the eviction by the Lagos State task force.”

    She alleged that force was used for the eviction and that there was disregard for residents’ material possessions.

    Mrs. Chapman said the houses were broken into when residents were not at home, adding that their belongings were thrown out through the windows.

    Her words: “This is callous and inhuman. The exercise was carried out despite a downpour.

    “Our investigation and discussion showed that the eviction followed the execution of a 48-hour abatement of nuisance notice issued to them.”

    She said the group had written to the Ministry of Justice, noting that the eviction was illegal and unlawful.

    The displaced residents, who chanted solidarity songs, enjoined the House of Assembly to come to their aid.

    The Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, said the House would look into the matter when it resumed.

  • Lagos Assembly Clinic matron dies

    Lagos Assembly Clinic matron dies

    The Chief Matron of the Lagos State House of Assembly Clinic, Mrs Caroline Oriola, was found dead in her office on the Assembly premises by cleaners early yesterday.

    The Nation learnt that Mrs Oriola was in office on Saturday to get some drugs. She was said to have switched on the air conditioner in the office and locked the door from behind.

    The security men on duty were oblivious of the incident though she signed the movement register before she picked the keys to the clinic.

    The matron’s body was discovered yesterday by a cleaner.

    “It is indeed a sad news; nobody expected that she would die, when she did. We were told that she was in the clinic to pick some drugs only for her dead body to be found on the floor by a cleaner,” said a source.

    Another source said the late Mrs Oriola’s husband, who had waited for her to return home, had gone to check her in the Assembly, but that he could not find her car in the park, adding that he was unaware that she parked at the lawmakers’ park.

    The remains of the deceased were conveyed to the morgue by some staff of the House led by the Clerk, Mr Segun Abiru.

  • Lagos Assembly approves N59.3b budget for 57 local councils

    Lagos Assembly approves N59.3b budget for 57 local councils

    The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday approved a budget of N59, 287,974,102 for the 20 local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs).

    The House gave the approval, following a debate on the report submitted by the ad-hoc committee headed by the Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru.

    The House observed that most councils and LCDAs performed poorly in the area of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), among others.

    It, therefore, recommended the need to shore up their revenue generation drive to meet the needs of the people.

    A breakdown of the budget showed that Ifelodun LCDA got the highest vote of N1,632,880,355.48, followed by Apapa Local Government with N1,624,051,414.28.

    Agege Local Government got  N1,459,916,003; Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government, N1,557,825,411.00; Ikeja N1,001,105,683.16; Lagos Mainland N1,589,879,806.22 and Mushin Local Government Area, N1,139,863,539.33.

    Submitting the report of the committee,  Abiru said  the decision to scrutinise the budget of the councils was in consonance with Section 3 of the Local Government Council Committee Law, 2007.

     “Most councils and LCDAs  performed poorly in the IGR, hence their reliance on Federal Allocation.

    “Their overhead estimate was  bloated to the detriment of Capital  Expenditure.”

    In passing the budget, members urged the councils to explore all revenue sources and block leakages.

    They also urged them to give priority to capital expenditure so as to ensure physical development at the grassroots.

  • Investigate illegal dredgers, says Lagos Assembly

    Investigate illegal dredgers, says Lagos Assembly

    The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to direct appropriate ministries, departments and agencies to probe the activities of illegal dredgers.

    The resolution followed a motion by Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1), who said the activities of the illegal dredgers posed dangers to the state.

    The lawmaker urged the House to call on the governor to direct appropriate agencies to stop dredging, mining and reclamation temporarily.

    Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin 1) said: “The issue of illegal dredging is always discussed in this Assembly.

    “I think the government needs to clamp down on illegal dredgers and prosecute them.

    “The government needs to set up a surveillance team to look into illegal dredging, the only way is to pick them up and make them face the penalty.”

    Sola Giwa (Lagos Island 1) said:”Water is a blessing to Lagos, it should not turn into a disaster.”

    A-six man ad hoc committee, led by Adebayo Osinowo (Kosofe 1), was set up to review the activities of dredgers in the Lagos Waterways.

    Other members are Tobun, Rotimi Olowo (Somolu 1), Setonji David (Badagry 2), Mojeed Fatai (Ibeju Lekki 1), Nurudeen Solaja-Saka (Ikorodu 2).

    The Assembly called on the Ministry of Information to embark on public enlightenment campaign to sensitise the public on the danger of noise pollution.

    The House called on Ambode to direct the General Manager of the State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to discharge the statutory responsibility conferred on it by Section 9 (a) of the state Environmental Protection Agency Law, 1996.

    Tobun decried the high level of noise pollution arising from the blaring of music by vendors, street party organisers and outdoor advertisers as well as indiscriminate use of horns by motorists and cyclists.

    He decried the high culpability of churches, mosques and other faith-based organisations.

    The member representing Alimosho 1, Bisi Yusuf, said the best way to go about the issue is to ensure the proper enforcement of the existing regulation.

    Yusuf said: “When some people are praying, it will seem as if God is deaf and you begin to wonder may be God won’t answer their prayers if they don’t shout.

    “We should call on these faith-based organisations to allow to God rest. The existing regulations should be enforced.”

    Member representing Oshodi/Isolo 2 Emeka Idimogu said:  “We should use a persuasive approach in addressing it because we all made noise during the campaign and noise has become a part of us, we can’t change it overnight,” he said.

    The House, in its resolution, called on the Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture to ensure that the use of public address systems are discouraged within communities.

  • HoS apologises to Lagos Assembly

    HoS apologises to Lagos Assembly

    The Lagos State Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Folasade Jaji, has apologised to the House of Assembly on the elongation of the tenure of members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

    The Assembly summoned the Head of Service to appear yesterday to explain the matter. This followed a letter to the House by members of the commission, stating that they had been confirmed for another four-year tenure by Mrs. Jaji.

    According to the House, the continuation of tenure by members of the commission was in flagrant disregard of Section 199 of the 1999 Constitution, which states that tenure of public officers should end automatically when due.

    Mrs. Jaji said she got an approval from the former Attorney General, Mr. Ade Ipaye and former Governor Babatunde Fashola on February 24, a week after she was appointed.

    She apologised for the mistake, and said she had written to the JSC members, including Mr. Teslim Animashaun, Mr. Kunle Othman, Mrs. Abisola O. Oshodi and Mrs. Folashade O. Iwajomo that their tenure had ended.

  • Lagos Assembly seeks enforcement against noise pollution

    Lagos Assembly seeks enforcement against noise pollution

    Lagos State House of Assembly Tuesday at plenary called on the state Ministry of Information and Strategy to embark on public enlightenment campaign to sensitize the public on the danger that noise pollution poses to health and the need to stem its tide in the state.

    The House also called on the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the General Manager of the state Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to discharge the statutory responsibility conferred on it by Section 9 (a) of the state Environmental Protection Agency Law, 1996.

    Raising the motion titled “Need for Regulation of Noise Pollution in Lagos State” on the floor of the House, member representing Epe Constituency 1, Abiodun Tobun, decried the high level of noise pollution arising from the blaring of music by vendors, street party organisers and outdoor advertisers as well as indiscriminate use of horns by motorists and cyclists on major highways in the states.

    Tobun also noted the high culpability of churches, mosques and other faith-based organisations in noise pollution in the state through their various programmes like vigil, mobile preaching, tafsir and periodic calls to prayers.

    The lawmaker expressed concern about the high level of noise pollution which, he said has become a major source of health hazard as recently raised by the Nigeria Hearing and Speech Association (NHSA) that more Nigerians are suffering from hearing impairment as a result of noise pollution.

    He expressed worry that there is no proper enforcement of Section 9 (a) of the LASEPA Law 1996, aimed at controlling noise pollution in a cosmopolitan state like Lagos with over 15 million residents.

    Contributing to the motion, member representing Alimosho Constituency 1, Bisi Yusuf, explained that the best way to go about the issue, is to ensure the proper enforcement of the existing regulation.

    According to Yusuf, “when some people are praying, it will seem as if God is deaf and you begin to wonder may be God won’t answer their prayers if they don’t shout. We should call on these faith-based organisations to allow God to rest; the existing regulations should be enforced.”

    On his part, Gbolahan Yishawu, Eti Osa 1 noted that the motion is timely, adding that “in enforcing the regulation, we should ensure that construction companies and noise of generators should also be looked into.”

    Others, who spoke on the issue, explained that the relevant and necessary agencies should be called upon to do the needful by ensuring strict compliance of the existing regulation.

    They also added that motor parks should be included in the enforcement of the regulation. “Some motor parks also contribute to this issue of noise pollution and we must not overlook them in the enforcement of this regulation,” said Segun Olulade (Epe Constituency 2).

    Member representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2, Emeka Idimogu called for caution on the part of his colleagues in addressing the issue, noting that “we should use a persuasive approach in addressing it because we all made noise during the electioneering campaign and noise has become a part of us, we can’t change it overnight,” he said.

    The House in its resolution also called on the state Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture to ensure that the use of public address systems are discouraged within the community so as not to disturb the peace and tranquility of the community.

  • Lagos Assembly to partner Nollywood

    Lagos Assembly to partner Nollywood

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has advised the Movie Marketers Association of Nigeria to come up with ideas to improve Nollywood, especially tackling piracy.

    Obasa spoke yesterday at the Lagos Assembly Round Table Dialogue with the Movie Marketers Association, comprising marketers, distributors, producers and directors, at the Lateef  Jakande Auditorium, Assembly complex, Alausa, Ikeja.

    “There is a ministry in charge of matters that concerns anything about Nollywood and with one of you here as a lawmaker we are sure we will do something to protect your interest.

    “It is a war that we have to fight together. Your existence is a source of joy and happiness to Nigeria and that is why we are glad to help,” Obasa said.

    The Speaker assured them that the government will not allow Nollywood die because “your industry has developed the economy and made this country popular abroad”.

    Nollywood actor and the lawmaker representing Surulere 1 Desmond Elliot, who facilitated the forum, attributed the slow growth in the film industry to lack of government’s involvement.

    He decried piracy, saying it was killing the industry and its operators.

    Elliot said the dialogue was to examine “how development partnership between the government and the film industry can boost the state’s economy”.

  • Ojo boat mishap: Lagos Assembly summons LASWA

    Ojo boat mishap: Lagos Assembly summons LASWA

    Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary Thursday summoned the leadership of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) over a boat mishap that occurred in Irewe, Ojo Local Government Area of the state which led to the death of four school children on July 1st.
    The resolution followed a motion moved by a member, Lanre Ogunyemi (Ojo II) calling on his colleagues to rise up to the occasion as the tragedy has become a recurrent thing.

    Moving the motion, Ogunyemi recalled that the 14 passenger boat capsized while another oncoming boat allegedly belonging to oil bunkerers sped recklessly causing confusion.

    The lawmaker stated that four children lost their lives in the process.

    It was also alleged that the passengers failed to wear life jackets meant for safety on the waterways.

    While commiserating with the families of the deceased, the Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru urged his colleagues to call on the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the regulatory body saddled with the responsibility of monitoring activities of waterways in the state to rise up to the occasion.

    Contributing to the debate, Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade said the latest tragedy has brought to limelight the necessity for the House to take decisive step towards putting a stop to such disaster.

    According to him, “this particular incident has reinforced the need to use the defaulters of waterways regulations as scapegoat.

    “By doing this we would have sent a strong signal to the operators at the waterways.”

    Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) however pointed out that while calling on the operators to uphold the rules guiding operating on waterways, the size of the safety jackets must also be put into consideration.

    Yishawu maintained that the life jackets provided for the children were oversized, saying it would have amounted to nothing even if the children wore the jackets.

    Ibrahim Layode (Badagry 1) however differed from his colleagues urging the House to do a self-appraisal to determine the degree of enforcement of the law made by the House as regards regulation on waterways.

    He said, “the House should rise up to its responsibility, the law has been passed in this House since 2008. How far have we been able to ensure that the provisions of the law are complied with?”

  • Lagos Assembly for inauguration

    •Obasa to emerge Speaker

    The inauguration of the eighth Lagos State House of Assembly will take place today as members have finally agreed on the leadership.

    The inauguration, which was earlier scheduled for last Thursday, was postponed because of members’ inability to agree on a consensus speaker-candidate.

    This was finally resolved at the weekend with the endorsement of the principal officers as agreed to by the members in a meeting with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday.

    The lawmaker from Agege 1 constituency, Mudashiru Obasa, is tipped to emerge as speaker; he is a fourth term lawmaker.

    Other principal officers are: Wasiu Ehilokun (Lagos Island 1) as Deputy Speaker; Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1) as Majority Leader; Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu 2), Chief Whip; Olumuyiwa Jimoh (Apapa 2) Deputy Majority Leader and Mrs. Omotayo Oduntan (Alimosho 2) as Deputy Whip.

    With the latest development the only position left to be filled now is that of the Minority Leader, which is to be occupied by one of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member.