The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State

  • Buhari calls off Lagos trip

    President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled his earlier scheduled visit to Lagos State.

    Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo will now represent the President on the Lagos trip.

    The visit billed for Monday and Tuesday will witness commissioning of several projects in the state.

    Confirming the new development on Sunday, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, did not give any reason for the cancellation of Buhari’s visit to the state.

    He said: “The truth is that the Vice-President will now represent the President in Lagos.

    “There is nothing wrong if the Vice-President represents the President at functions,” he stated

  • Ambode charges community leaders to address menace of cultism

    Ambode charges community leaders to address menace of cultism

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday continued the ongoing statewide commissioning of projects to mark his one year in office, just as he charged royal fathers, traditional chiefs and Community Development Associations (CDC) to address the menace of cultism and hoodlums for peace to thrive.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke in Surulere while commissioning a block of 18 classrooms with modern facilities at Lagos Progressive Senior High School and newly upgraded 900 meters Adekunle Kuye Link Road with covered drains, walkways and street light, urged the community leaders to compliment the effort of his administration to massively develop the State by promoting peace and clean environment at all times.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, assured the people that his administration was committed to a safe, secure and clean community, but people must be security-conscious at all times.

    In her welcome address, Executive Secretary of Surulere Local Government, Mrs. Hussein Bamidele thanked Governor Ambode for the projects, saying they would go a long way in boosting the education the students and ease movement in the area.

    Also, a community leader and former Chairman of Coker Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Chief Mrs Omobolanle Adetutu-Akinyemi said the projects would impact positively on the residents of the area, and commended the Governor for the projects.

    On his part, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Surulere Constituency 1, Desmond Elliot said the projects confirmed the importance attached to education and economic development of the area by the Governor.

    In Lagos Island, Governor Ambode commissioned the newly rehabilitated Olowogbowo Primary Health Centre (PHC) and network of roads in chain of projects being handed over to the public ahead to mark his one year anniversary.

    The road network covers Savage and Onitolo Streets, all in Lagos Island. They will facilitate easy movement of people around the area.

    The health facility located within the Apongbon precinct was upgraded to function for 24 hours with modern equipment, maternity centre and Tuberculosis Treatment centre.

    Speaking through Benjamin Olabinjo, his Special Adviser on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, at the commissioning, the Governor said the projects represented the fulfillment of his campaign promise to run an all inclusive government where every part of Lagos will feel a sense of belonging.

    He said that his administration was supporting the 37 Local Council Development Areas and the 20 Local Governments in the state to build 114 roads and 90 percent of state government’s counterpart funding for the project had been released.

    The Governor also disclosed that a reform initiated by his government within the local government system in the state was already yielding positive results.

    Ambode, who urged the people to take ownership of government’s projects within their locality, also charged them to continue to support the state government by paying their taxes.

    In Mushin Local Government, the Governor also commissioned a Block of 18 classrooms with modern facilities at Oduduwa Senior Secondary School, Mushin.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, the Governor urged residents to always cooperate with the government both at the local and state levels, to allow dividends of democracy reach them as promised by his government, especially while canvassing their support during the electioneering campaign.

    In his remark, the Honourable representing Mushin Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sobru Olawale Layiwola, commended Governor Ambode for his strides within eleven months of his administration, especially in the area of road construction and street lighting across the metropolis.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Executive Secretary of Mushin Local Government, Mr. Jide Bello, lauded Governor Ambode especially for his leadership style which has given governance a human face and brought it closer to the people.

    The Governor also commissioned various projects in Ikeja Local Government, Onigbongbo and Ojodu Local Council Development Areas in continuation of his quest to transform the State.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, the Governor commissioned 250metres Bisi Ogabi Street with drainage, Solar Powered Street Lights and Customized Letter Boxes.

    At Onigbongbo LCDA, Governor Ambode also commissioned the upgrading of Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Access road to Lagos Homes, Ilupeju.

    In Ojodu LCDA, the Governor commissioned the construction and rehabilitation of 12 blocks of classrooms at Oke-Ira Primary School, Construction of Irepodun and Otunla Street/roads also in Oke-Ira.

  • We’ll utilise tax payers money judiciously – Ambode

    We’ll utilise tax payers money judiciously – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday commissioned several local and state government projects in Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Eti-Osa and Shomolu Local Government Areas of the State, saying that his administration would continue to utilise tax payers’ money judiciously to the benefit of all residents.

    Governor Ambode, who was represented at the different locations by members of the State Executive Council, said that the ongoing projects in the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas were in fulfillment of his campaign promise to make life more comfortable for the people.

    He urged residents to take ownership of the projects being executed by the Government in their domain, saying that it was their civic responsibility to ensure that the projects serve the interest of the people for which they were built for.

    In Epe, the Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Community and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, said he would not renege on his promise to run a government of inclusion that would make all and sundry enjoy the dividends of democracy, however urging them to continue to pay their taxes and rates promptly.

    The Governor said, “In my inaugural speech, I told you I was going to run an open government of inclusion, where everyone would be involved in day to day administration without minding your age, race, creed or religion”.

    “Ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of the projects commissioned. Be law abiding and take ownership of the projects. On our part, we would continue to ensure that tax payers’ money is put to good use. It would never go to waste”, Governor Ambode said.

    Among the projects commissioned include blocks of classroom at St. Theresa’s College, Oke-Oyingbo, Town Hall at Ita-Opo, Epe and Regional Water Scheme, Otta-Ikosi.

    In Eti-Osa Local Government, Governor Ambode who was represented by State’s Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, commissioned the 1.9km Unity/1st Avenue Osapa London Road in Eti-Osa Local Government and block of 16 classrooms with modern facilities at Kuramo Primary School in Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    The Unity/1st Avenue Osapa London Road was designed with standard walkways, drainage system and street light.

    The Governor also inaugurated the Job Registration and Labour Exchange Centre for the Lagos Division in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the State as part of the employment creation and wealth generation initiative of his administration.

    He said the project was another step forward in providing dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

    In his address, the State’s Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti said the Job Registration Centre was part of Governor Ambode’s initiative to create five of such in each of the 57 Councils.

    Durosinmi-Etti, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Ahmed Olorunfemi Mustapha explained that the essence of the centre was to register, train and provide job opportunities for artisans and unemployed graduates.

    Speaking further, Durosinmi-Etti said under the initiative, between 500 and 600 artisans would be trained at each centres, while the project is expected to capture about 20, 000 to 30, 000 from the informal sector at the initial stage, and then about 200 to 300, 000 subsequently.

    In Shomolu Local Government, Governor Ambode commissioned a Primary Health Centre and Diagnosis Centre named after him and a 400metres road in Bariga Local Council Development Area.

    Speaking while inaugurating the Primary Health Care Centre (PHC), Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Art and Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, said that the Centre would cater for the health needs of residents and reduce the incidences of maternal mortality.

    He said the 400metres of Baptist Church Street would link several communities in the area, even as he warned against destruction of the roads by plumbers and other artisans.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Shomolu Local Government, Abiodun Orekoya said the council embarked on the Primary Health Centre Project to enable resident have access to quality medical care, just as he expressed optimism that the proposed 114-room‎s female hostel in Akoka would alleviate the pains of students of the higher institutions around the council suffering for accommodation.

    In Ibeju Lekki Local Government, Governor Ambode who was represented by the Special Adviser, Food Security, Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni, commissioned the Origanrigan and Awoyaya PHC, saying it was in line with his administration’s zero tolerance for maternal mortality.

  • Ambode to Lagos Residents: Protect govt infrastructure in your domain

    Ambode to Lagos Residents: Protect govt infrastructure in your domain

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday urged community leaders and residents of the State to jealously guard the infrastructure provided by government in their domain, just as he promised that more projects would be embarked upon in all the communities across the State.

    Governor Ambode, who was represented by members of the State Executive Council who spoke simultaneously at five different Local Government Areas of the State during the commissioning of various projects in commemoration of his first year in office, said the people must take ownership of government facilities in their domain, as such would go a long way in bringing about the enjoyment of the facilities for a long time.

    While assuring that his administration will make Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the State very vibrant in delivering the dividends of democracy to various communities, Governor Ambode said he will continue to support the Councils in order to provide basic infrastructure for the people of the state.

    Besides, Governor Ambode assured residents that the 114 inner roads embarked upon by his administration in all the 57 Councils would be completed by the end of June 2016 as planned.

    At the Apapa Local Government, the projects commissioned by the Governor include 9 roads within the Apapa Business District, Ultra-modern Liverpool Jetty, 12 block of classrooms at Methodist Nursery and Primary School and 4 block of classrooms at Arakan Barracks Nursery and Primary School with standard facilities such as modern toilets, sick bay, furniture, ceiling fans, ramps to accommodate the physically challenged, among others.

    Specifically, the road commissioned are Marine Road, Bombay Crescent, Randle Road, Ibikunle Akintoye Street, Commercial Road, Burma Road, Plateau Road, Zeek Avenue, Marine Road Extension and Connector Road; otherwise known as Bombay Crescent to Calcutta Road Phase III.

    The roads were designed to accommodate walkways, street light and drainage system.

    In Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Governor Ambode commissioned an Ultra-modern Court Complex and a 360-meters interlocking road with drainage situated in Aduke Street, while in Ikorodu, the Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Hon. Babatunde Adejare, commissioned an Ultra-modern shopping complex at the popular Sabo Market.

    He also commissioned the Ota-Ona Dual Carriage Road as well as block of classrooms in Agbede, all in Ikorodu.

    At Badagry, the Governor who was represented by the Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemo commissioned a block of 16 classrooms and another block of 8 classrooms, as well as 6 classrooms in Badagry West Local Council Development Area.

    At Kosofe, the Governor represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo commissioned road projects at Oladele, Shoyebi and Ademola Taiwo/Alamu Taiwo/Ogunsola Streets.

    Speaking on the 114 LG roads, Governor Ambode, who was represented at the Ajeromi-Ifelodun commissioning by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said: “The feat is unprecedented in the history of Lagos and this has provided employment to over 9,000 citizens directly and indirectly within the year. Counterpart funding of more than 60% has been committed by the state to ensure speedy completion of the exercise before the end of June, 2016.”

    In Apapa Local Government, the Governor, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf said the projects were in sync with his promise of running an all-inclusive government where no area would be left behind.

    Speaking on the projects, the Ojora of Ijora, Oba Fatai Aromire commended Governor Ambode, saying the remarkable feat achieved just within one year in office was an eloquent confirmation that the State is progressing.

    “As the paramount ruler of this domain, I like to specially appreciate our amiable Governor for the projects he embarked upon in our area. We are indeed very happy and wish the Governor well in the leadership of the State,” Oba Aromire said.

    Also, Vice Chairman of Apapa Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Saka Yussuf said the projects commissioned in their area were unprecedented in the history of the area, adding that the people were indeed happy with the leadership of the State.

    At Ikorodu, a former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye commended the laudable stride of the Governor in just 11 months of inception, just as he appealed to people who are yet to feel the impact of government in their areas to be patient.

  • Lagos now an oil producing state – Ambode

    Lagos now an oil producing state – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday declared that Lagos has officially joined the League of Oil Producing States in Nigeria following the discovery of crude oil by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited in Badagry, Lagos.

    Governor Ambode who made the declaration when the management of the company led by the Group Managing Director, Mr. Yinka Folawiyo paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, commended the firm for their doggedness to achieve the feat after 25 years of hard work, saying that by the provision of Section 162 Sub-Section 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos has become an oil producing State.

    He declared: “I want to thank you very much for this and I say it with all conviction because I know that based on section 162 Sub-Section 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos becomes an oil producing state and by virtue of this, the 13 percent derivation that is due to oil producing states, Lagos will start to partake from it by your very good gesture. So we  officially declare Lagos State as an oil producing state, we also notify the Federal Government by this action that we would be sharing out of the 13 percent derivation. So all we need do is to apply and then we join.”

    Governor Ambode also said that the feat has not only placed Lagos in the history books as the first state outside the Niger Delta to become an oil producing State, but has also opened up a new page for revenue generation in the State.

    “It also means that by the additional revenue that is coming from this action, we would have more resources to provide infrastructure for Lagosians and this is what we want other investors and businessmen to emulate, so that beyond the issue of profit, you are actually creating an impact on people without them necessarily knowing that it is actually coming from a venture like this that you have embarked on,” he said.

    He said the resilience of the Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company; an indigenous firm has shown the possibilities and opportunities for investors and businessmen willing to commit their resources to boost local production.

    “I want to commend what you have done; it’s a sign that you believe so much in Lagos State. I want to congratulate you; I want to showcase you as a very good example of a dogged entrepreneur, as someone who believes in Nigeria because that’s what you epitomize here.

    “The Federal Government has always said that we all need to look back inwards and start to do things for ourselves. Spending 25 years to be able to get to this stage and get something productive shows a lot about your belief, tenacity and doggedness and I want to recommend you to every other Nigerian investor that there is still greater hope for Nigeria and with the likes of you, I don’t see any reason why any Nigerian needs to be afraid because you have just shown by this indigenous discovery that anything is possible in Nigeria.

    “This discovery is by a 100 per cent indigenous firm and at times like this when we are experiencing dwindling revenue from different areas of our economy; at times like this when foreign exchange is highly turbulent, it gives one great hope that the future prosperity of Nigeria is assured and is secured by transactions like this,” Governor Ambode said.

    Governor Ambode said that what the historic discovery means for Lagos is that the three Senatorial Districts, Lagos West, Lagos East and Lagos Central have all combined to open up the economic and investment potentials of the State.

    “I will like to let you know that we have three senatorial zones in Lagos; from the Lagos West axis, we have crude oil coming out of it, from the Lagos East axis, we have the petrochemical refinery factory coming from the Lagos Free Trade Zone by the Dangote Group which will come on board by 2018 and from the Lagos Central axis, it’s the financial district of Nigeria. For Lagos, it’s designed for prosperity and to complement every achievement that is being recorded.

    “We are likely to have three Sea Ports in Lagos in another two years; we have the Badagry Deep Sea Port and the Lekki Port and also the Apapa port. So, somehow, in some manner, some things are being put up that seems like a puzzle, but the future prosperity of Lagos is more than well assured and we are happy that we are part of that and this government is heavily committed to complement the efforts of businesmen like you.

    “In supporting endeavours like this, we would do everything to support whatever it is you want us to do to make sure that the arrow head of this particular sector that you have championed will not just go in vain. I can assure you of that,” the Governor said.

    Earlier, Mr. Folawiyo said that the discovery of crude oil in Lagos, which has taken over 25 years to achieve, has gone a long way to show the possibilities achievable if Government continues to lend support to indigenous investors and companies.

    “At so many points along the way, we could have given up because it was a very rough road, but the point is that only a Nigerian company would have continued to do what we did. The man crux is that we need government and government needs us and where government supports assiduously, it can only be success,” he said.

    Asked how much has gone into the investment, Folawiyo said the company has committed about $400million dollars to achieve the feat.

    He said the current status of the oil well has the capacity to produce at least 12,000 barrels per day, with a possibility to increase to 25,000 to 50,000 barrels per day in the nearest future.

    Folawiyo also presented Governor Ambode with a sample of the crude oil discovered by his company in the State, a confirmation of Lagos becoming the first basin out of the Niger Delta to become an oil producing state, which according to him, is by no means a small feat.

     

  • RRS arrest seven as hoodlums clash in Lagos

    RRS arrest seven as hoodlums clash in Lagos

    Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Sunday arrested seven persons in the Ejigbo area of Lagos after a bloody clash between hoodlums.

    The fight which broke out between Agbole and Coker boys around the NNPC jetty, left several people injured.

    It was gathered that trouble erupted over auto spare parts but by one of the Agbole boys from Coker.

    The ware which was bought about a week ago was said to have been faulty, prompting the buyer to seek a refund.

    But the trader was said to have denied refunding the money, an action which Angered the buyer.

    He was said to have gone and brought some of his boys who attacked the Coker boys.

    In retaliation, the Coker boys stormed Ejigbo and attacked the Agbole boys, injuring many others and four vehicles parked on the street were vandalised.

    It took the intervention of the RRS Commander, Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and his team, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), as well as the traditional ruler in the area.

    Confirming the incident, the state command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said the injured were taken to the hospital.

    She added that the suspects have been transferred to State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti.

  • Lagos, FRSC move to phase out fake number plates, drivers’ license

    Lagos, FRSC move to phase out fake number plates, drivers’ license

    The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Service has initiated moves that would ensure that the era of fake motor documents and drivers’ license becomes a thing of the past.

    General Manager of the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Mr. Lateef Lawal, who disclosed this at the Agency’s headquarters in Alausa yesterday, said the collaboration would also ensure that the process of obtaining motor documents and drivers’ license are seamless and less cumbersome.

    Reacting to an on-line publication which challenged the genuineness of number plates in the state, Lawal affirmed that number plates issued by the Agency are genuine and authentic.

    He said that the production of the number plates is the responsibility of the Lagos State Number Plates Production Authority, while his agency is saddled with the responsibility of issuing the plates to end users.

    To avoid falling victim of fake number plates, Lawal stressed the need for motorists to obtain their motor insurance policy from duly accredited insurance companies in order to complete their registration process.

    In addition, the General Manager advised motorist to desist from engaging touts to procure motor documents; just as he encouraged them to patronize any of the MVAA offices located in the 89 out-stations across the State for all vehicle particulars.

    He also emphasized the need for prospective drivers to go for training at accredited driving schools as a necessary pre-requisite for obtaining driver’s license.

    He equally stressed that motor vehicle administration services are fully automated, adding that the agency came first in a service delivery contest organized by the Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation under the Office of Head of Service in the State.

    He also restated his agency’s commitment to continue to offer qualitative service delivery to residents in the state.

     

  • Lagos releases N10bn for completion of 114 LG roads

    Lagos releases N10bn for completion of 114 LG roads

    The Lagos State Government has released the sum of N10.8billion to date to ensure completion of the ongoing construction of 114 roads across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State by the end of June, 2016

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Olohuntele Folami on Wednesday, the Government said that the construction of the roads was made possible through tax payers’ money.

    The Commissioner said that the second stage payment of N5.5billon released on Monday represents 61 per cent of the total cost of the 114 roads at N17.85bn.

    “The Government again reiterates that as long as Lagosians continue to fulfill their civic responsibility and obligation, the Government will continue to spend its resources wisely and the Lagosians will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    “We are using this medium to urge Lagosians to continue to pay their taxes, so as to be able to enjoy the dividends of democracy, the monies they are paying is what the government is using to construct these roads across the length and breadth of the State,” the Commissioner said.

    Folami said that aside completed and ongoing road projects across the metropolis, the State Government has also embarked on the Light Up Lagos Project which is fast spreading across major highways and streets as well as construction of bridges, flyovers as well as equipping the Police and other security agencies.

    “This Government wants the people to know that the money they are paying is being well spent and so far as they continue to fulfill their part, the Government will not relent in making the State safer and more habitable for the people.

    “Tax payers’ money is being well spent and people can see and feel it, we promised a government of inclusion and we would continue to demonstrate it through the various people oriented projects of this administration. Lagosians should be rest assured that that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has the passion to make life more comfortable for them,” Folami said.
    It would be recalled that Governor Ambode, in fulfillment of his campaign promises, empowered the Local Governments and the Local Council Development Areas to embark on construction of two inner roads in their various councils to boost economic activities and improve vehicular movement.

    The roads are designed to accommodate walkways, road medians, street lights and standard drainage systems.

  • Lagos Assembly urges Ambode to repair Ikorodu-Sagamu road

    Lagos Assembly urges Ambode to repair Ikorodu-Sagamu road

    Lagos State House of Assembly Monday called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to repair Ikorodu-Sagamu road to alleviate the suffering of over 42 communities, estates and industries along the axis.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade under matter of urgent public importance at plenary Monday.

    The House also called on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to wake up to its responsibility on federal roads in the state.

    The lawmakers equally called on President Muhammadu Buhari to arrange for the refund of all monies the state has spent maintaining federal roads in the state.

    Agunbiade (Ikorodu I) said that the step has become imperative considering the disaster delay could bring to residents and economic activities in the area.

    He said, “The road is in a very terrible condition, it connects Ikorodu to Sagamu. It is so damaged that unless care is taken, it can lead to losses of lives.

    “Our people cannot wait for the Federal Government to fix the road. We want to call on the governor to direct all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state to help do palliative on this road.

    Hon. Tunde Braimoh (Kosofe 2) said that there was need for urgent intervention by the state government, stressing that the road was germane to the economic activities of the state.

    The lawmaker added that the state government needed to give attention to the road at the entrance to Magodo Estate also.

    Hon. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja ( Ikorodu II), who noted that about 45 industries are located along the corridor, said that the busy road has been abandoned for long.

    Also speaking, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, the Chairman, House Committee on Education urged the industries along the corridor to wake up to their corporate responsibility.

    Hon. Abiodun Tobun, the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure said, “Most of the federal roads in Lagos are suffering and the paucity of fund cannot allow the state to fix all of them.”

    The Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who noted that the poor state of most roads has led to the loss of several lives, urged the state to do something urgently.

    Obasa said that the state government has spent billions of naira managing federal roads, stressing that most of the fund expended had not been refunded by the Federal Government.

    “We will continue to call on the Federal Government to do the needful, we cannot close our eyes on all these roads,” the speaker said.

    He urged FERMA to carry out repair on all failed federal roads in the state.

  • Ambode signs Law to extend tenure of LG chairmen

    Ambode signs Law to extend tenure of LG chairmen

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Thursday signed into law Local Government Administration Law that endorsed four-year tenure for chairmen and other elected council representatives.

    The governor  also signed the into law the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Amendment law, and the Local Government Election Tribunal Second Amendment law at the State House, Ikeja.

    He said the purpose of the Local Government Administration law is to provide for local government system, establishment and to regulate administration of local authorities and other connected purposes.

    “One of the major highlights of this amendment is the increase of the tenure of the Chairman and the Counselors from three years to four years commencing from the date of taking oath of office,” he said.

    The governor added that the essence of law in every society was the regulation of human conduct, saying that upon his assumption of office, his administration identified the need to improve on laws that impacted on people’s lives,

    According to him, “the LASIEC amendment law seeks to create the commission to regulate election matters. The need to amend the law arose as a result of current trend in the political space to prevent a lacuna in certain instances.

    “Some of the highlights of the amendment include the empowering of the Commission to review the de-alienation of wards in each Local government of the state at intervals of every 10 years and division of each Local government into not less than 10 wards and not more than 20 wards,” he said.

    He said that section two of the amendment replaced section 5 of the principal, saying that “A new section 62 created by the amendment provides that the Vice Chairman elected with the Chairman would be sworn in as Chairman in the event of the death of an elected Chairman before been sworn in.

    “The amendment to the law has also been proactive as Section 64 now provides that incumbent Chairman who wins a re-run election will have a period spent in office prior to the re-run. Local government Election Tribunal second Amendment law, the highlights of this amendment is to empower the tribunal to allow the time for doing any act or taking any proceedings or such terms as the justice of the case may require, provided that the enlargement of time shall not be granted to extend the life span of the petition beyond 45 days.

    “Therefore, more time will now be available for consideration of election petitions,” he said, while commending the Lagos State House of Assembly for the speedy consideration and passage of the laws.

    The governor urged residents to see the passage of the laws as a further institutionalisation of the rule of law in the state and commitment of his administration to local government reforms, as the local government system was crucial to grassroots development, saying that the new laws were clear demonstration of a new golden era where the local government system would experience renaissance to create prosperity and good governance for the people.

    “By the assent of these bills into law, LASIEC Is empowered to commence necessary administrative processes that will translate to the composition of the local government structure,” he said.