Tag: Lagos State government

Lagos State Government has begun a new registration to capture poor and vulnerable households not covered in its previous database, as part of efforts to deepen social protection and welfare delivery.

The exercise, coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, under the supervision of the Commissioner, Mr. Ope George, was launched at Ajibola Community Development Area (CDA) in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Kosofe Local Government.

Speaking at the launch, the Director of Social Protection Coordinating department, Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbadeen-Adedeji, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring support reached those who needed it most.

She noted that the fresh registration process would enable the government to identify and assist households that missed out in the earlier exercise.

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“This registration is a key step in achieving our goal of targeted support for poor and vulnerable households,” she said.

The Chairman of Ajibola CDA, Alhaja Arikawe Adewale, on behalf of the community, praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his administration’s social protection programmes.

He urged the visiting officials to convey the community’s appreciation for what he described as “the dividends of democracy” under the current government, citing the large turnout of residents for the registration.

The exercise follows the state government’s ongoing integration of its Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) with the National Identification Number (NIN), which began on April 9 across 57 local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs).

LASSR, a subset of the National Social Register, is a comprehensive database of poor and vulnerable households in Lagos. It serves as a critical tool for identifying beneficiaries and delivering targeted interventions.

According to the ministry, the update will ensure all eligible households are captured in the state’s social protection delivery programmes, thereby enabling more effective and equitable distribution of government support.

In a decisive move to attract investment to increase access to safe and reliable water supply to Lagosians, the Lagos State Government has convened a high-level Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the Lagos Water Corporation, to explore innovative, technology-driven approaches to improving water service delivery.

Convened under the theme “Attracting Investment for Improved Water Supply in Lagos State through Public-Private Partnership”, the engagement brought together a cross-section of stakeholders, including sector experts, community leaders, private investors, CSO partners, and development partners.

At the core of the two-day event organized by the Lagos Water Corporation with the support of WaterAid, Nigeria, was the government’s official invitation to all stakeholders to intimate them of the government’s plans of attracting investment in the water sector through public private partnerships to increase water service delivery in Lagos.

While delivering a welcome address, the Special Adviser, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Rotimi Akodu, highlighted that the initiative is a critical step in addressing the state’s growing water demand, driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth. Mr. Akodu pointed out that the initiative reflects the State’s recognition that achieving universal access to potable water requires both substantial capital investment and operational efficiency – elements that can be enhanced through strategic private sector collaboration.

The PS Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, in his speech stressed that Lagos has made commendable progress in expanding water infrastructure, but the scale of current challenges, from aging facilities to the impact of climate change, demands innovative partnerships that prioritize sustainability, resilience, and accountability.

According to him, the State Government’s vision is clear – to guarantee uninterrupted access to clean and safe water for all Lagosians. This partnership model ensures that the infrastructure we build today will serve future generations. We urge stakeholders to support and embrace this new structure for the greater good of our citizens.

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This was further highlighted by the PS office of Environmental Services Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, as he mentioned that with the shortage in funding where governments are struggling with compelling priorities and reduction in foreign supports, has necessitated the government’s need to be innovative in funding these very important lifeline resources . Therefore there is no better time to partner with the private sector to bring in funding and to improve water services than now.  

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Engr. Mukhtaar Tijani, reiterated the State Government’s vision to transform the water sector into a modern, efficient, and sustainable system capable of meeting the current and future needs of residents, supporting economic growth, and aligning with global best practices in water resource management.

Engr. Mukhtaar noted that the PPP framework offers a unique opportunity to combine public oversight with private sector innovation, operational efficiency, and investment capacity, in order to boost production, reduce water losses, and ensure efficient distribution to underserved communities.

He emphasized that the PPP initiative is not an attempt to privatize water resources, but rather a strategic collaboration to improve service quality, expand coverage, and ensure the financial viability of operations.

“The decision to pilot the model through selected mini and micro waterworks is guided by the need to leverage private sector expertise, innovation, and funding to complement government investments, ensuring that water facilities are not only rehabilitated but also maintained to the highest standards. This phased approach is informed by a broader reform agenda that will place Lagos on a clear path toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation for All”.

Reeling out the overview of the Pilot Public-Private Partnership for the Lagos Water Corporation, the Managing Director explained that the initiative represents a crucial step in the State’s broader strategy to modernize public utilities, safeguard public health, and stimulate economic growth.

While assuring that the State is committed to transparent procurement processes and robust regulatory oversight to safeguard public interest and fostering a commercially attractive investment climate, the Managing Director underscored that the PPP structure is deliberately designed to boost operational efficiency, minimize system losses, and guarantee equitable distribution of water resources across all localities, with particular attention to underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

The Managing Director commended the efforts of WaterAid Nigeria for its commitment to supporting the Lagos Water Corporation to improve urban water supply in Lagos state. The Country Director of WaterAid, Evelyn Mere, had earlier during her goodwill message at the gathering called on the State Government to scale up the Akilo water scheme management model that is aimed at achieving sustainable urban water supply. She enjoined the State Government to create an enabling environment built on an effective and sustainable legal and regulatory framework to assure investors of their Return on Investment (ROI).

Stakeholders at the meeting lauded the State Government’s strategic drive to provide essential water resources and its openness in involving communities and private partners in decision-making.

The Lagos State Government reaffirms its dedication to delivering quality water to every household, and, with the active participation of stakeholders and partners, is confident that the State will achieve a future of sustainable, reliable and universally accessible water supply.

By the close of the engagement, consensus emerged on the need for a phased, evidence-based implementation of the PPP model, underpinned by robust performance monitoring, environmental safeguards, and continuous dialogue with stakeholders.

The Lagos State Government has directed all licensed e-hailing operators to present their vehicles for inspection as part of a plan to enforce safety standards, ensure database integrity and guarantee vehicle roadworthiness.

Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi gave the directive during a meeting with the operators at the ministry’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja.

Osiyemi said the decision followed the discovery of poorly maintained vehicles on the platforms of licensed operators in the state, warning that any vehicle found unfit would be barred from operating on Lagos roads.

He expressed concern over rising safety issues and poor service delivery in the sector, stressing that the government would not tolerate practices that put lives at risk.

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He also faulted the weak database systems of some operators, which he said made it difficult to track criminal activities linked to their services.

“We will not hesitate to sanction any operator that fails to comply,” the commissioner said.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry Olawale Musa warned against the use of vehicles not registered with the state, saying the practice hinders effective tracking and poses security risks.

He added that all drivers must be certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) and urged operators to update their records on the ministry’s digital platform or risk suspension of their licences.

Musa advised residents to avoid booking rides offline to prevent bypassing the safety features on the platforms.

Representatives of Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech and EDryv, who attended the meeting, outlined new safety measures on their platforms, including stricter driver verification, mandatory licence checks, panic buttons and enhanced onboarding processes.

In a decisive move to tackle persistent traffic violations, the Lagos State Government has ordered mandatory psychiatric evaluations for 18 motorists recently apprehended for driving against traffic—commonly referred to as “one-way” driving.

The directive, issued through the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), marks a new dimension in traffic enforcement aimed at restoring discipline and ensuring road safety across the state.

The affected motorists, who were arrested for what officials describe as “brazen and willful” contravention of traffic laws, are set to face prosecution.

As part of their legal proceedings, they will undergo a psychiatric assessment to evaluate their mental fitness and behavioural orientation.

LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the initiative aligns with global standards in traffic psychology and is designed not as a punitive measure, but as a corrective and preventive strategy.

“The enforcement of psychiatric assessments is not intended to stigmatise or punish. Rather, it is a necessary intervention designed to protect the general motoring public from individuals who exhibit reckless disregard for human life and lawful order,” Bakare-Oki explained.

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Despite sustained public awareness campaigns and education on traffic laws, incidents of one-way driving have continued unabated in Lagos, often resulting in accidents, traffic gridlock, and damage to road infrastructure.

Officials say the psychiatric evaluation policy serves as both a deterrent and a tool for behavioural reform. The government hopes it will discourage others from committing similar offences and promote a culture of responsible driving.

“This measure is more than just a traffic enforcement initiative. It is a moral and civic imperative, reflecting the Lagos State Government’s vision to promote responsible motoring, safeguard human life, and maintain order on our roads,” Bakare-Oki added.

LASTMA reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and public enlightenment, urging all road users to obey traffic regulations and contribute to creating a safe and efficient road network in Lagos.

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its dedication to promoting food safety and hygiene across the state through rigorous health screening of food handlers, regular water quality testing, and intensified public awareness campaigns.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Food Safety Day, Dr. Folarin Theophilus Ajayi, Director of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, revealed that the state had taken proactive measures to ensure that food consumed by residents complies with international safety standards.

Ajayi emphasised that the Safe Plate Initiative, signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in July last year, remains a pivotal strategy in achieving this goal.

“The goal is to ensure every food handler undergoes a compulsory health screening and food safety training. We are also conducting rigorous testing of water sources to certify their wholesomeness,” he said.

He explained that the initiative is technologically driven and relies on certified laboratories for accurate testing results.

“Only accredited labs are authorized to carry out these tests, and food vendors must pass them to operate legally,” he said.
“Through these public outreach efforts, we are teaching vendors how to handle food properly, wash hands correctly, and keep their environment clean. Once people make it a habit, the community benefits,” Ajayi added.

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Also speaking at the forum, Head of Enforcement at the Directorate, San Ojo, emphasized the government’s legal authority and readiness to uphold food safety laws.
“We operate under the provisions of the national food safety policy and public health laws. Enforcement is our responsibility, and we work closely with local governments to monitor food handling at the grassroots level,” Ojo said.

He referenced specific sections of the state’s public health law, noting that Sections 6, 43, and 53 give the department full enforcement rights over food safety infractions.

“No other department has this jurisdiction. We oversee what is brought into markets and ensure compliance with the law,” he stated.