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  • Lagos retains highest foreign debt portfolio – DMO

    Lagos State, the commercial nerve-center of Nigeria, has retained its position as the state with the highest foreign debt in the country, with a foreign debt put at 1.45 billion dollars as at June 30.

    A document obtained from the Debt Management Office (DMO), on Wednesday in Abuja, titled: ‘States, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Federal Governments’ External Debt Stock as at June 30, 2018,’ also detailed other states’ external debts.

    The document also stated that the external debt stock of the entire nation stood at 22 billion dollars with the Federal Government incurring 17.8 billion dollars, while the states and the FCT owed 4.28 billion dollars.

    This means that the Federal Government accounts for 81 per cent of the country’s external debt, while the states and the FCT account for 19 per cent.

    As at Dec. 31, 2017, Lagos State also had the highest foreign debt portfolio 1.47 billion dollars, but the figure reduced to 1.45 billion dollars by June 30.

    Following Lagos in a distant second is Edo, which incurred 279 million dollars.

    Others are Kaduna, 232.9 million dollars; Cross River, 193.7 million dollars; Bauchi, 134.9 million dollars and Enugu, 127.9 million dollars.

    Read Also:No cause for alarm over Nigeria’s N22.7t debt profile’

    According to the DMO, other top debtors are Anambra owing 107.4 million dollars; Oyo, 106.34 million dollars; Ogun, 105.3 million dollars; Osun, 101.5 million dollars and Abia with 100.2 million dollars.

    Following closely are Ekiti with 97.9 million dollars; Ondo with 81.4 million dollars; Rivers, 79.5 million dollars; Ebonyi, 67.9 million dollars; Kano, 65 million dollars; Katsina, 64.7 million dollar and Delta, 63.8 million dollars.

    The statement also revealed that Imo incurred 61.2 million dollars; Nassarawa, 61.4 million dollars; Adamawa, 57.8 million dollars; Niger, 55.7 million dollars; and Bayelsa with 57.2 million dollars.

    Others are Akwa Ibom with 48.3 million dollars; Kebbi, 46.7 million dollars; Kwara, 49.8 million dollars and Sokoto with 40.2 million dollars.

    States with the lowest debt portfolio include Taraba, with 22.1 million dollars; Borno, 22.2 million dollars; Yobe, with 28.4 million dollars and Plateau with 29.6 million dollars.

    Others are Kogi, with 32.37 million dollars; Jigawa, 32.80 million dollars; FCT, 32.83 million dollars; Zamfara, 34.2 million dollars; Benue, 34.7 million dollars and Gombe, 38.5 million dollars.

    The Director-General of DMO, Ms Patience Oniha, had at a media conference on Aug. 14, said as at June 30, the nation’s public debt stock increased marginally by 3.01 per cent from that of Dec. 2017.

    “One of the beneficial outcomes is the re-balancing of the debt stock, the ratio of domestic debt to external debt inching towards the target of 60:40 and the target of 75:25 between long term domestic debt and short term domestic debt.

    According to the figures for June 30 released by the DMO, the ratio between domestic and external debt stood at 70 to 30 compared to 73 to 27 in Dec. 2017.

    Oniha said the ratio of 60 to 40 was important to ensure that the nation was not 100 per cent indebted externally, and that it was also easier to raise money domestically.

    Oniha also said the Federal Government had been borrowing from the external debt market to refinance maturing local debts because of the lower interest rates obtainable from foreign sources.

  • Lagos to decongest prisons with plea bargain

    Lagos State Government is planning to decongest the prisons by adopting the plea bargain aspect of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

    A team from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) yesterday visited Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons, to educate inmates on the initiative.

    The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Titilayo Shitta-Bay, said the government was concerned with the huge population of prisons inmates in the state.

    She said there was need to implement initiatives, such as the plea bargain concept, to reduce the figures.

    To her, the inmates, who are guilty of the offences against them, should embrace plea bargain, save time and serve lesser punishment.

    She said: “Plea Bargain will help to reduce the punishment for inmates, save public funds and time, and that is why the government is purposely using the initiative to also decongest prisons in the state.”

    Shitta-Bay said an applicant for plea bargain would state why he is entering into it, adding that it would be considered only on merit and based on the seriousness of the offence for which the applicant is to be sentenced.

    “The lawyers would write their recommendations too and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice would consider the facts of the matter and circumstances,” she said.

    Controller of Prisons Ikoyi Prison Tolu Ogunsakin praised the government for its proactive approach to decongesting prisons.

    “You have always been praying for freedom and Lagos State Government has brought you the opportunity so embrace it and confess to the crime that brought you to prison instead of wasting your time and energy here”, he said.

  • Lagos assures of Lake Rice availability

    Lagos State Government yesterday said the price of Lake Rice would remain stable as the commodity floods markets across the state.

    Commissioner for Agriculture Toyin Suarau said it had come to the notice of the state government that prices of rice had gone up in the market.

    He said the consistency in quality of the Lake Rice and its availability was aimed at stopping the importation of the commodity.

    He said: “You will recall that it was in a bid to ensure availability of the commodity in Lagos that the state government sought the participation of major rice distributors.

    “Lake Rice is of good quality. The difference between the commodity and foreign variety is that the imported commodity has a minimum storage life span of five to six years. Lake Rice is fresh and wholesome and the price remains the same to ensure affordability for residents.’

    Suarau said measures had been put in place by the state government to protect the price and avoid adulteration.

    He stressed that part of the measures include constituting a committee to strictly monitor the product in the market.

    “LAKE Rice which is packaged in 50kg, 25kg and 10kg bags is still being offered for sale to residents at N12,000.00, N6,000.00 and N2,500.00 respectively,” Suarau said.

  • One feared killed as ‘cultists’ clash in Lagos

    Police arrest 15

    One person was on Tuesday feared killed after suspected cultists protested in Ketu, Lagos.

    The young men numbering over 50 were said to have blocked the Ketu/Mile 12 Market axis to protest the arrest of some of their members allegedly smoking Marijuana in the market.

    It was alleged that the deceased whose identity was yet to be ascertained, was hit by stray bullet from policemen sent to disperse the crowd.

    The rampaging youths were said to have vandalised people’s vehicles, smashing windscreens and looting properties.

    Unconfirmed reports indicated that several persons sustained injuries in the melee.

    According to a trader, Mohammed Garba, policemen from Ketu Division who arrived the scene opened fire which accidentally hit one of the protesters.

    Garba said the victim died on the spot, adding that the youths carried the corpse and danced round the neighborhood.

    “As a result of the death of their colleague, the dared the police to shoot them and became violent. The problem actually started on Monday night and continued yetetsay morning.

    “It was on Monday morning that the young man was killed. The police were shooting in the air but bullet hit the victim.”

    Another witness, Aisha Ahmed said: “They were out as early as 6:30am. They grounded business and other activities. Before we knew what was happening, they took over the gate and started harassing both traders and those who came to the market to  buy goods.

    “The leadership of the market tried to stop them from going ahead with the planned protest but they were adamant. The crowd kept increasing and they were smoking weed as well. It was the leadership of the market that invited the police.”

    Another trader Chioma Nze blamed the protesters for the crisis, noting that the young men usually terrorised traders.

    Read Also: Suspected cultists kill 23 year-old in Ondo

    She said: “We are tired of the constant threat from hoodlums who only come to the market to smoke Marijuana. In fact, their activities are a threat to residents as well as traders.

    “This hoodlums have been operating, smoking Marijuana and causing problems. The trouble today started with them. They attacked policemen and almost destroyed a patrol vehicle”

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) denied anyone was killed in the clash, adding that clam had returned to the area.

    Oti said the cultists got information on the movement of their arrested member from the station to court, and attempted to disrupt the process.

    He said: “The group came out and blocked the road to be used by the police prosecutor. When passersby saw them, they fled for fear of a possible attack.

    “Policemen from Ketu were immediately moved to the area to disperse the hooums.

    “As we speak, about 15 suspects have been arrested. They have heen moved to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba for further investigation.

    “No casualty was recorded throughout the operation and normalcy have also been returned  to the place.”

  • NBC to shut down debtor broadcasting stations

    The National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ) on Monday said it would shut down radio and television stations owing the commission licensing fees.

    The Director General, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu said that any broadcasting station that failed to come up with a payment plan before September 15 would be shut down. .

    Modibbo said this at a news briefing in Lagos after a meeting with the stakeholders in the broadcasting industry.

    He said that the broadcasting stations are owing the commission N4. 3 billion .

    According to him, there was an agreement between the stakeholders and the NBC in February 2017 on how to recover the debt. He said the stations had reneged on the agreement.

    He said that it would not be ideal to mention the broadcasting stations due to the relationship between the parties and that the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and NBC would be meeting.

    ”There will be a consultative meeting between BON and NBC.

    ”Stations must try to regularise or work on a payment plan. The truth of the matter is if there is nothing definite done by trying to pay the money owed NBC we are going to close down quite a number of radio and television stations.

    ”Especially because we know that a lot of them are targeting elections and the money they will make.

    ”We will make it impossible for them to make that money because if they do not pay their licensing fees, then they have no right to enjoy any freebies from elections.

    The DG also spoke on the issue of sanctions on various broadcasting stations saying that broadcasting ethics stresses that the peace and unity of the country should be paramount.

    He said that in a situation where the ethical boundaries have been breached at various times by a broadcasting station, such a station would be sanctioned or shut down as the case may be.

    Modibbo said that the commission does not ban songs, but certain songs cannot be broadcast due to their content.

    Songs that should be broadcast in Nigeria are songs that families could listen to, he said.

    According to him, young artists influence Nigerian children and as such they should be mindful of the songs they air.

    “Young people are the greatest export of our country in terms of their artistic work and our country is a country of young people,” he said.

  • 1 feared dead in Ketu market clash in Lagos

    One man was reportedly killed while several others were injured in a bloody clash between rival gangs of miscreants at Ketu Market in Lagos on Monday, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    A witness, simply identified as Musiliu, told  NAN that the clash followed a disagreement between two groups of hemp smoking miscreants over the death of a member after heavy doses of marijuana.

    ”What happened was some guys smoking Indian hemp in the market were fighting among themselves over the death of someone whom they gave an overdose of the hemp.

    ”Afterwards, the miscreants were seen carrying the corpse about in the market chanting war songs and destroying anything on sight. I think that was when the policemen were called to intervene.

    ”The police detachment from Ketu Police Station came and started shooting sporadically in the market while the miscreants were also seen facing them in spite of the shooting.

    ”The police latter went back to reinforce and that caused a lot of trouble as the market people started running helter skelter in order not to be caught up in the crisis, ” the witness said.

    Chioma, another witness, said that the trouble started when the policemen were trying to repel an attack by the miscreants.

    ”We are tired of these jobless youths coming to Ketu to smoke Indian hemp in the market. They are causing trouble here in this market.

    ”Its been long they have been smoking here causing trouble for us in the market. The trouble today started with them, they are attacking those policemen that came to restore peace in the market.

    ”I think the policemen are not happy with thier effrontery at repelling them, so the policemen went for reinforcement.

    ”Things got worse as the policemen came back to the market, shooting sporadically into the air while people run for dear lives,” she said.

    Speaking on the riot, Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Choke Oti, told NAN that normalcy have been restored in the area.

    “Our men are there doing the needful. The police is proactive and we have been able to put the situation under control.

    ” The Lagos State Police Command will not relent until perpetrators are brought to book. The area is presently under survellance,” Oti said.,(NAN)

  • Prisons congestion: I’m very concerned -Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Friday expressed concern about the congestion of prisons, with over 70 per cent of inmates in the state awaiting trial

    The governor called for major reforms to decongest prisons across the country.

    Ambode spoke when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Prison Services, Lagos Command, led by the Controller, Mr Tunde Ladipo, at his residence in Epe.

    He said that the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy would look into some of the cases of inmates and see the possibility of granting official pardon to prisoners who had shown remorse.

    The governor said that inmates of good behaviour and those ready to contribute meaningfully to the society would also be pardoned.

    “I am very concerned about congestion of prisons in Lagos State. However, there is no better time to carry out reforms in our prisons, and it is necessary, especially as regards the decongestion of the prison,” he said.

    Ambode also directed the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr Olufemi Onanuga, to provide adequate health services for all the prisons in the state so as to prevent outbreak of diseases.

    Read Also: Ambode donates vehicles, ambulance to Lagos Prison

    The governor also donated vehicles and other equipment to the Lagos Prisons Service, saying it was his administration’s contribution to make the prisons more conducive.

    “For a State like Lagos where development is ongoing, it is bound to attract people from other states and neighbouring countries, and this means increase in population.

    “We are providing these critical assistance to the prison authorities to make them more efficient and make our prisons more conducive,” Ambode said.

    Earlier, the Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr Tunde Ladipo, said that the visit was to remind the governor of their requests for some vehicles and equipment.

    These, he said, were to enhance their capacity to effectively transport and secure inmates awaiting trial.

    Ladipo said that as at Jan. 31, 8,191 inmates — 7,887 male and 304 female — were in custody across the five prison facilities in the state.

    He said that the prisons include the Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri; Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri; Female Security Prison, Kirikiri; Ikoyi Prisons and Badagry Prisons.

    Ladipo said that out of the number, 6,290 inmates were awaiting trial and attending the various court jurisdictions in the state.

    “The challenges toward fulfilling the responsibilities of effective prison duties are indeed overwhelming and seriously challenging especially in a state with a large inmate population like Lagos,” he said.

    Ladipo, while commending the governor for his developmental strides as well as massive support to security organisations, said the Lagos Prison Command was working toward reforming prisoners.

    He revealed that two inmates, Kabiru Tunwase and Oladipupo Moshood were currently pursuing PhD in Business Administration and Peace and Conflict Resolution respectively.
     

  • Lagos and water transportation challenge

    Addressing the transportation and traffic challenges of a complex mega city like Lagos has been a foremost concern of successive administrations in the state. Evidently, the need to develop other means of transportation cannot be over-emphasized, given the complex nature of the sector in the state.

    Particularly, in view of its unique topography, Lagos has great potential to develop water transportation to a highly competitive level. Since 25 per cent of the state’s landmass consists of water body, it is just rational for government to look more in this direction in tackling the ever hectic transportation situation in the state. It is, thus, not surprising that the state government is now more poised to step up efforts toward improving water transportation in the state.

    It is in furtherance of this that the state government recently organized a roundtable on water transportation. At the event, which was well attended by diverse stakeholders, the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode reiterated the commitment of his administration to fully harness the potential of water transportation to the benefit of the people and economic prosperity of the state.  The governor decried the situation in which Lagos residents largely depend on road transportation over the years. This, according to him, is responsible for the pressure on Lagos roads.

    Bearing in mind the size of investment required to advance the course of water transportation in the state, it is only logical that government evolve effective framework in partnership with the private sector and relevant stakeholders in the project. It is, thus, quite encouraging to note that key private sector investors are actively involved in ongoing plans to boost the sector.

    It is, indeed, reassuring that government at the roundtable also sealed a major partnership with a consortium of multi-national companies, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, to rid the waterways and water bodies in the state of filth with specific focus on plastic waste. The agreement will also bring about the setting up of a world class collection and recycling framework for plastic waste in Lagos State.

    The consortium, which includes Nigeria Bottling Company, Coca-Cola, 7-Up Bottling Company, Nestle and Nigerian Breweries among others, will be investing in boats with capacity to collect waste from the waterways.  This will protect the ecosystem and boost water transportation. If the state’s water transportation potential is to be maximally exploited, there is need for more of such private sector’s collaborations.

    On its part, the state government has continued to demonstrate its resolve to change the face of water transportation in the state. Recently, the state government inaugurated some boats and four Jet Skis at Caverton Jetty in Civic Centre, Victoria Island.  They were acquired to ensure safety on the waterways. Similarly, government lately ordered the procurement of seven additional ferries, while also doing a lot to encourage private sector operators to take over terminals and also to procure more of their own boats and ferries.

    Understandably, a lot of prominence is particularly being accorded safety of the waterways. This is why lots of channelization and dredging are being done in order to make the waterways safe and secure for all stakeholders. There are also plans to connect water terminals and the roads, especially in places such as Badore, Ajah, Mile 2, Badagry, Ikorodu and other places where there are terminals. Consequently, there is now visible evidence of government’s renewed investment in this sector. As more private sector interest becomes really noticeable in the sector, this would in no small measure help to complement government’s huge investment in the sector.

    Presently, about 30 commercial routes have been identified on the state’s waterways for dredging and channelization, while 10 jetties spread across the state are being constructed, among other ongoing plans for the sector. When all the designated corridors for the ferry service become fully operational, Lagos will not only reduce excess reliance on roads as a major means of transportation, but also air pollution. Today, traffic is responsible for 90% of the ambient carbon-monoxide level posing a major threat to human health. The take-off of these new corridors will also lead to additional new jobs with economic multiplier effects on the society.

    In order to further strengthen various water economy related reforms and initiatives in the state, the Ministry of Justice is currently working on legal plans to enforce relevant laws guiding the waterways to ensure compliance with safety standards and to checkmate any illegal activity by operators.

    Perhaps more importantly, recent procurement of relevant sophisticated machines by the government is an indication that the process of ridding the state’s waterways of debris and hyacinth as part of the holistic plan to further boost water activities relating to the waterways, has earnestly begun. It would be recalled that for a long time, hyacinth which is otherwise known as aquatic weed, had been a major source of concern with attendant challenges to the waterways in the state. A seasonal threat, water hyacinth had brought about damages to propulsion system of boats thus affecting water related activities.

    The machines were acquired to tackle the challenges posed by water hyacinth and other such water threats by taking away debris and hyacinth from the state’s waterways. The new machines act like an underwater lawn mower and cut the vegetation as well as collect and store weeds and debris, while it is fitted with a pick-up conveyor at the forward end which can be lowered up to six feet deep into the water for effective cleaning of the waterways. This initiative heralds the clean-up of the state’s waterways, thus preparing the ground for other innovative activities of the state’s development plan to transform the Lagos Waterways to world class standards.

    Considering the various laudable initiatives of the state government towards improving waterways’ infrastructure in the state, it is important that all stakeholders come up with more innovative ideas that would further complement government’s efforts in this direction.  This is, hence, the right time for existing and potential investors to enhance investment in the sector. Without a doubt, development of the state’s waterways represents a key solution to traffic gridlock across the state.

    But then, it must be stressed that the state’s waterways, stretching from Badagry to Epe, (with a peninsular in between, a lagoon at the back and the Atlantic in front), Ikorodu to Marina and Badagry to Marina are nature’s gift that must be properly preserved. Nothing must be done to jeopardize their safety and purity. Injurious activities such as illegal sand mining and dredging, pollution of the water body through diverse unwholesome practices, among others, should be discouraged in its entirety.

     

    • Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • Lagos hosts PZ Cusson’s fashion fiesta finals

    The top 10 participants of the Masters of Style fashion design competition, organised by PZ Cussons’ foremost brands, Imperial Leather and Canoe, have all arrived Lagos.

    They came from various parts of the country and will be camped in the city, as preparations begin for the final phase of the competition.

    The competition has concluded its campus tour of five universities: Jos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Lagos, and Calabar. Three winners emerged from each of the campuses as they exhibited their designs during the showcase. They each received a token of N50,000, N20,000, and N15,000 respectively. However, only the top two finalists from each campus qualified for the next phase of the competition.

    At the end of the campus tour, 10 participants emerged. They include: Makanjuola Adefunke and Okezie Abigail Ifeoma (University of Jos); Nwaribe Ekene and Otunwa Benedict (University of Port Harcourt); Omotayo Mary Ibukunoluwa and Onome Ruona Blessing (University of Benin); Salvation Uzoma and Yahaya Taofiq Abolarinwa (University of Lagos); Ita Majed Okon and Paramole Omotayo Saheed (University of Calabar).

    The eventual winner of the competition will walk away with a cash prize of N500,000,  an internship programme with a top Nigerian fashion designer, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase his/her collection at one of Nigeria’s top fashion shows.

     

     

  • Lagos seeks support of public servants on health insurance scheme

    The Lagos State Government has sought the support of public servants in the successful implementation of the soon to be launched mandatory Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS).These are  especially in the areas of propagation of information about the scheme, its benefit packages and roles of stakeholders.

    The Health Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris, said the role of public servants just like other stakeholders is important  in the successful implementation of the scheme.

    Dr Idris stated this at the meeting organised by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Public Service Office to sensitise public servants on the scheme.

    “The reason for this sensitisation meeting is to educate and sensitise you on the reasons for the roll out of the scheme, policy decisions, the modalities of the scheme, the plans, the benefit packages, service provision, premium breakdown and payment modalities as well as your roles and responsibilities of enrollees and stakeholders in the scheme”, Idris said.

    Dr Idris said LSHS is a compulsory health insurance programme established by the enabling law of the state to ensure all residents of Lagos State have access to affordable and quality healthcare, as the scheme is aimed at protecting people living in Lagos from financial distress resulting from huge medical bills.

    Idris while explaining that the premium payment for a family of six is 40,000 naira per year and premium for single enrolment is 8,500 naira per year, said a premium subsidy of 75 percent was approved by the Lagos State Executive council for public servants, “What this means is that the state government will pay 75 percent of the premium while public servants will only be required to pay 25 percent”, the Commissioner said.

    He noted that LSHS apart from increasing access to quality health care services without financial hardship is also providing enrollees with options of accessing these services at public or private health facilities.

    In the same vein, the Head of Service, Lagos State Public Service, Mrs. Folasade Adesoye who also spoke at the meeting, stated that it is important for public servants as key stakeholders and potential beneficiaries of the scheme to understand their roles and what they stand to gain from the scheme.

    She said: “It is for this purpose that representatives of public servants of different grade levels were drawn from all MDAs to participate at this meeting with the hope that information received will be shared at individual MDA level. The workforce will also go a long  way in promoting healthy life style and improved standard of living for the teeming Lagos populace including public servants and their families”.

    The Head of Service stated that the sensitisation programme will be a continuous activity until the required awareness and information are entrenched within the public service communities.

    While expressing the gratitude of public servants to the governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for the subsidised premium payment, his unwavering commitment to the well-being of  public servants and their families, Adesoye noted that public servants would continue to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of government policies and programmes, as expected, at all times.

    The General Manager of LASHMA, Dr. Peju Adenusi, while giving an overview of the scheme, explained that the LSHS Bill was signed into Law in May 2015. She  added that the law which established LASHMA, LSHS and the Lagos State Health Fund (LASHEF) will serve as a basket of funds from several sources for the provision of health care services for the enrolled population.

    Adenusi said the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) registration number shall be a prerequisite for accessing any benefit available under the schemes.

    She disclosed that the services to be provided under the scheme otherwise known as benefit package will include antenatal and postnatal care, normal delivery and Ceaserian operation, care of newborn, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV, immunisation, growth monitoring and promotion, management of childhood illnesses, family planning and counseling and adolescent reproductive health care.

     

     

    Others, according her, are prevention of Tuberculosis (TB) and Leprosy, prevention and control of Malaria, prevention and control of STIs,/HIV/AIDs, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases such  as diabetes and hypertension, emergency health services, minor surgeries and anaesthesia, health education, ophthalmic care and dental care.

    The General Manger noted that the responsibilities of enrollee will need to understand the scheme fully, register themselves and their family members, ensure regular payment of premium, encourage others to join and make suggestions or complaints known through established mechanisms.