The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Lagos charged to embrace public solution to water crisis

    Labour unions, civil society, and grassroots mobilisers have enjoined the Lagos State government not to entrust profit-making multinationals with her water crisis but rather embrace public solutions.

    Speaking at a round conference on water privatisation, which was held in Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos, the president, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees, (AUPCTRE), Anthony Benjamin, said the issue of privatisation is a major problem, adding that no privatisation of public institutions has worked so far.

    In his presentation titled Global Perspectives of Water Privatisation, Comrade Sani Baba lamented that the false notion that privatisation is the only way to solve Lagos water crisis has contributed to the deterioration of Lagos water infrastructure by inhibiting the adoption of other, more effective policies. “So far, there is no success story of privatisation in African countries, it failed in Tanzania, Rwanda and the same is happening in Kenya. The solution is for Lagos State government to prioritise a people-centred process and tools for realisation of our human right to water,” he warned.

    Public service, according to the convener, Take Back Nigeria, Jaye Gaskia, is at the heart of governance and the moment government begins to privatise public institutions, “it implies that there is no government and this is so sad,” he lamented.

     

     

    To move Lagos forward, the Deputy Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action (ERA), and one of the conveners, Akinbode Oluwafemi, urges Lagos State government to reject this water privatisation scheme and revise the law to prevent Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) from polluting future infrastructure project debates: Utilise public financing which can be cheaper than private finance; collaborate with other water systems to create public-public partnerships, among others.

     

  • Lagos revs up economy with new power and property laws

    •To deliver 3,000mw in three years

    The Lagos State Government has perfected plans to bring about a quantum leap to the State’s economy in 2018 through the Embedded Power Supply Project and the review of the Land Use Charge Law.

    The power project, aimed at delivering an estimated 3,000 Megawatts to homes and industries, is expected to lift the economy of Lagos which is Nigeria’s industrial hub, while the revised Land Use Charge Law had been designed to improve the values of property in the State.

    The State’s House of Assembly had last week announced the passage of two bills expected to provide the legal framework for the programmes by enacting the Lagos State Embedded Power Supply Law 2018 and the Lagos State Land Use Charge Law 2018.

    Both laws are expected to be signed this week by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Speaking on the development, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan said the two strategic laws were part of the grand plan of the present administration to boost the economy and make life easier and comfortable for the people.

    He said: “The Embedded Power Supply programme will provide the enabling environment for the private sector to generate not less than 1000 mega watts every year in the first phase of three years by using gas to produce power and distributing the electricity to consumers.

    “As enabler, the Lagos State Government will guarantee the off-take of the generated power.

    “This new product is expected to expand the distribution network and increase metering capacity of the electricity distribution firms in Lagos State including Eko Distribution Company and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.”

    Bamigbetan said to ensure return on investment by participating companies and encourage more electricity companies to invest in the embedded power sector, the law has been arranged to provide the framework for the government to support the firms in the collection of tariffs and enforcement of contracts.

    Speaking further, the Commissioner said: “A novel feature of the law is the introduction of provisions for the prosecution and sentencing of those who tap electricity illegally or use the power produced through the embedded power system without entering into contracts with the companies.

    “Defined as power theft, industry watchers believe that this is the first law to provide penalties for a major cause of financial failures of electricity companies and with regular power supply in homes and industries, the Lagos State Government expects a giant leap in the production and growth of the economy,” Bamigbetan said.

    Besides, the Land Use Charge Law is considered as the answer to the agitations of residents for a transparent process of determining rates.

    Under the revised law, estate valuers authorised to assess and value tenements will ensure that the data are reliable and the indices are explicit.

    The revised law also exempts tenements owned by non-profit organisations, religious bodies and public cemeteries and burial grounds.

     

  • 2019: Don’t just watch; participate actively, NOA tells Lagos residents

    2019: Don’t just watch; participate actively, NOA tells Lagos residents

    The National Orientation Agency ( NOA ) on Friday urged Lagos residents not to be just watchers, but to take active part in the electoral process.

    The State’s Director of the agency, Mr Waheed Ishola, gave the advice in an interview with our news reporter in Lagos.

    He said it was through participation that they could choose their preferred leaders in the 2019 elections.

    “The participation of Lagosians in the electoral process is very important because this is the only way they can use their democratic power.

    “People need to register to be eligible to vote, because if they don’t do that, they will not be eligible to vote.

    “If you are not eligible to vote, you cannot determine those who will govern over you.

    Read Also: CAPP, NOA lead campaign for peaceful council election

    “So, you cannot sit on the fence and continually complain about bad governance.

    “The starting point for you to partake in the electoral process is to validly register as voter to be able to choose people you believe have the right pedigree as your leaders.

    “So, my advice to all Lagosians of voting age is to come out now, especially as INEC has decided to embark on vigorous Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    “Residents should avail themselves of this opportunity so that they can exercise their democratic rights on the next elections,’’ he said.

    Ishola also urged residents who registered but had yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from INEC to do so without delay.

    He urged them to get their cards at the appropriate INEC offices so they could exercise their voting rights.

    Ishola described voter apathy as a major challenge in the country’s democratic experience, saying NOA was making efforts to improve the situation in the state.

    “Voter apathy is a bit of a challenge. But we are doing our best to address that towards the next election.

    “Right now, we are on the field in different parts of the state sensitising members of the public on the need to partake in the electoral process; on the need to register as voters and go out to vote in the next election.

    “We are partnering INEC and other major stakeholders to sensitise people on the need to be part of the process.

    “Also, we have been engaging politicians at various fora on the need to sensitise and mobilise people for the next election.

    “We are addressing the issue of voter apathy within our mandate and we hope things would improve in the next elections,’’ he said.

    NAN

     

  • Lagos gets special anti-graft courts

    Lagos State Governor Akinwummi Ambode yesterday urged judges to be fair and just as he inaugurated Special Courts for Corruption, Economic Crimes and Sexual Offences.

    He told the judges that through this partnership, “your voice to our call to give Lagos a special status of zero tolerance to crime will be achieved”.

    The event was held at the Rosaline Omotoso High Court Complex, Ikeja.

    Represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, Ambode  appealed to lawyers to ensure swift and seamless prosecution of offences.

    To the governor,   the special courts would assist in expeditious prosecution of economic and financial crimes.

    Ambode noted that corruption constituted a challenge to sustainable development, adding that it  has adversely affected the integrity, image and confidence of prospective investors.

    He said it was proper to classify Lagos, with over 20 million population, as one of the most populous cities in the world “and indeed the economic and financial capital of Nigeria and by extension of West Africa. This naturally makes it the most susceptible to perpetrators of these crimes.”

    This, he said,  was why the courts were designated special to focus primarily on effective prosecution of  cases.

    The  Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke, said four courts had been set aside as special courts.

    She said there were over 500 cases of financial crimes and 600 sexual offences pending before the high courts.

    She said the courts were set up following a directive from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to all heads of courts to dedicate some courts to determine corruption and economic crime cases.

    “We believe strongly that the special courts shall fast track the trial of these types of cases and encourage the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant bodies like Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC)  to expedite the investigation and prosecution of such cases,” she said.

    Justice Oke described sexual harassment and violence as serious threats to women and children worldwide, describing it as  a crime that has become epidemic.

    Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo described as frightening the high rate of corruption and sexual abuse cases in court.

    “The statistics quoted by the Chief Judge of Lagos is very frightening; it only speaks of half of the true picture. Behind the figures are the faces of the affected women and girls as well as the men and boys.” Osinbajo said.

    Giving examples of real life scenarios of sexual violence,  Osinbajo said  victims of such offences should never be ignored.

    “We should not ignore the trauma and nightmare that sexual offences bring,  let us not forget the girls not only in Nigeria but all over the world,” she said.

  • Lagos Govt releases N5.5b for 181 council roads

    The Lagos State Government has released N5.563 billion for the construction of 181 roads  in its 57 councils, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Ade Akinsanya said yesterday.

    Akinsanya said in a statement that the project was in fulfilment of  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s promise to open up more inner roads following the delivery o 114 roads in 2016.

    The roads, he said, would be constructed in phases, noting that one road each will be constructed in all the  councils under the first phase.

    The contractors, he said, had been mobilised to move to site.

    The commissioner said the cash released was 30 per cent payment for the project, which cost he put at N18,545,657,940.

    Akinsanya said due process was observed in awarding the contracts, adding that bids were opened last November 1, after which they were evaluated and considered.

    He said 57 contractors would  undertake the job, with a mandate to deliver in six months.

    “Governor Ambode is committed to ensuring that Lagosians continue to enjoy good governance. There are many projects going on simultaneously across the state and the roads to be constructed will further open up the councils for economic prosperity,” Akinsanya said.

     

  • Lagos trains workers on service delivery

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has asked all workers in the state Public Service to provide good customer service to his citizens.

    The governor, represented by the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry Of Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr Akintola Benson, spoke at the training organised by the ministry.

    Speaking on the topic, “Creating and maintaining a customer-centri driven culture in the Public Service delivery System”, Akinwunmi said civil servants must be polite, responsive and proactive in their interactions with the citizenry.

    He said the training was designed to improve the quality of service delivery in the state by encouraging and charting a path to the adoption of a customer-centri, customer-focused, or customer-driven perspective in the public institutions.

    He added that his administration understands the citizens-changing needs, noting that the momentum and complexity of global change are challenging all organisations, including government agencies, to move faster, work smarter, use their resources more effectively and think further ahead.

    Akinwunmi added: “Indeed, and more than ever before, governments at all levels, have an opportunity to change  their interactions with citizens.

    ‘’The emergence of new tools, technologies and methods offers a unique chance to secure the bond between the public and those who serve them.’’

    He continued: “Every officer and stakeholder in the Lagos State Public Service. For instance, it has been noted that the public sector could easily emulate the private sector’s use of technology in order to meet the ever-increasing citizen expectations and boost commercial viability. But many authorities, saddled with legacy systems which are no longer fit for purpose, are today struggling to take advantage of modern technology. And some authorities rely on outdated communications channels, many of which only operate during standard government office hours.

    “It would then appear that the next task is to consider how the Lagos State Public Service can build on these observed global best practice and domesticate the learning outcomes. I am confident that continuous training of our officers will address this all-important issue. In any case, it is my view that the following strategies will be central to any effort to ensure that the Lagos State Public Service adopts a positive change in perspective and orientation by adopting more extensive customer-centri policies and practices.”

  • Man jailed 18 months for drug trafficking

    Man jailed 18 months for drug trafficking

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday  sentenced a 28-year-old man, Oluwaseun Olamilekan, to 18 months imprisonment, for allegedly trafficking in cannabis sativa (Indian-hemp).

    In his judgment at the resumed hearing, Justice Ayokunle Faji, said the imprisonment would begin from the date of his arrest.

    He ordered that the drug exhibits to be returned to the NDLEA for destruction.

    The convict had begged for leniency and promised to turn a new leaf.

    Olamilekan was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a one count charge of trafficking in narcotic substance.

    Read Also: NDLEA nabs two with 1,996 kg of Indian hemp

    He had earlier been arraigned before the court on Sept. 8, 2017 when he pleaded guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, had told the court that the convict was arrested on Aug. 10, 2017 at Kasimu Street in Agege, Lagos, with 3.1kilogrames of narcotics.

    Aernan tendered some documents in evidence as well as some remnant of the narcotic substance.

    He said the offence contravened Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap 30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    NAN

  • ‘Lagos among most recognised sub-national economies in the world’

    ‘Lagos among most recognised sub-national economies in the world’

    The Director General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mr. Babatunde Irukera, yesterday said the Lagos State economy has become one of the largest in Africa and among the most recognised sub-national economies in the world.

    Irukera spoke when he led a delegation of the CPC, top officials of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on a courtesy visit to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The CPC chief said Lagos is strategic to Nigeria’s growth and development, adding that the state had become a model for other states in Nigeria and a force to reckon with in the global space.

    He said: “Lagos State is one of the largest sub-national economies in Africa and one of the most recognised sub national economies in the world. That is something, because it means that the economy of Lagos is far larger than many countries’ in the world. To lead that kind of a state is an incredible thing because, in many respects, you are leading a sub-national entity that is greater than many nationals all over the world.

    “So, you actually have Presidents who are actually smaller than the governor of Lagos.”

    Ambode urged the CPC to look beyond the rights of people to have quality products and services and beam its searchlight on other key sectors which have direct impact on the standard of living of Nigerians.

    “The kind of services that we provide in terms of transportation; is it the kind of thing that our people should have, should we just label them and say that is what their own lifestyle should be? These are things that we should find some platform to talk about,” Governor Ambode said.

    While pledging support for the ‘National Quality Infrastructure Project’ the Governor said the campaign would ensure that the right of Lagosians and Nigerians in general to quality goods and services is guaranteed, adding that concerted efforts must continue to be done by all stakeholders to ensure that Nigerians are only exposed to the best.

    He said his administration had already queued behind the advocacy with the setting up of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), chaired by consumer rights advocate and lawyer, Mrs Olufunmilola Falana.

    “I am very excited that the Consumer Protection Council is on this advocacy. We are excited also that barely three weeks ago, we were also able to set up our own agency and with a charge that they must commence operation immediately to be able to do that missing part between the ordinary Nigerian citizen and the product of goods and services in this country.

    Governor Ambode had earlier in his opening remarks said he had initially wanted to cancel the visit due to the demise of his Special Adviser on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr. Deji Tinubu last week Thursday who ought to have coordinated the visit by the CPC delegation.

    “We should have cancelled this courtesy visit but again you know the business of government will always go on because we had actually agreed about two weeks earlier that we would receive the Consumer Protection Council.

    “As at this morning, Deji should have been sitting beside me here, because we are yet to have a Commissioner for Commerce. This was one of the last assignments he was actually doing on Thursday to clear this visit.

    “So, in his memory, we had to ensure that we do this courtesy visit. That’s how government business is. I don’t want to start Monday on a solemn note. So, I do this courtesy visit with all sincerity and all sense of responsibility.”

    Those at the event included the National President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba Lawson; Chief Technical Adviser for United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Dr. Shaukat Malik; Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adamu Mohammad Abdulhamid and Chairman of Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, Mrs. Funmilola Falana.

     

  • Driver docked as conductor allegedly falls off bus, dies

    Driver docked as conductor allegedly falls off bus, dies

    A 25-year-old commercial bus driver, John Okoye, who allegedly drove  recklessly, causing his conductor to fall off the vehicle and die, was on Monday brought before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Okoye, who resides at Adensin Street,  Igando, a Lagos suburb, is facing a charge of manslaughter.

    The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Uche Simeon, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 14, 2017, at 8.00p.m., along Iyana-Iba/Igando Road, Ojo Lagos.

    Simeon said that the accused, on the fateful day, drove his Volkswagen bus with Registration No. LND 374 XU in a reckless manner.

    “The conductor, Matthias Nwoge, fell off the bus in motion due to the driver’s reckless driving while in a haste to carry passengers at the bus stop.

    Read Also: Driver in court over abduction of neighbour’s wife

    “Nwoge was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead,” he said.

    The offence contravened Section 227 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Section 227 stipulates life imprisonment for offenders.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty of the offence.

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

    He said one of the sureties should be a blood relation of the accused and the other a community leader or a clergy.

    Adesanya adjourned the case until March 12 for mention. \

    NAN

  • Lagos trains staff to curb human trafficking

    Lagos trains staff to curb human trafficking

    Lagos State government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has trained staff at the state level, local government areas and its local council development areas in curbing the spread of human trafficking.

    At the One-Day Conference which was held at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr.Mrs. Lola Akande  said it was timely and aimed at finding permanent  solution to human trafficking. Her words “Human trafficking is an ugly trend which debases our citizens especially the young people and women, which constitutes a risk to our security at large”, she said.

    “Lagos state government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi  Ambode through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation embarked on mass empowerment of women to alleviate poverty, one of the main causes of human trafficking”, she said.

    The training according to the Resource person and Representative, Zonal Commander, Lagos Command, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Mrs Kehinde Akomolafe is only a start-off for other programmes to be organised at the grassroots in all the local government areas.  Beyond this training, Akomolafe said participants are expected to train others in their local areas. “It is a sort of Train-the-Trainers; it will still be replicated in all the local government areas. In NAPTIP, we believe that sensitization is key as a tool for preventing human trafficking. The training will be replicated in all the local government areas”, she concluded.