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Tag: lagos

  • ‘Lagos govt committed to Ikeja model city’s master-plan’

    The Lagos State government yesterday reiterated its commitment to the renewed Ikeja Model City Master Plan originally conceived to address infrastructural challenges.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode plannd to make Ikeja a model city and actualise the relocation of the Computer Village to the new site at Katangowa in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, in line with the reviewed master plan.

    The statement said the Ikeja Model City Master Plan designated the Computer Village for residential use, adding that the government will follow the plans to make the area more organised, serene and habitable.

    It said the government had not issued any permit to any individual or organisation to build an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specialised mall beside the new Ikeja Bus Terminal.

    The government noted that such move is not in sync with the government’s regeneration plan for the capital city.

    It said as a sign of its commitment to the relocation of the Computer Village from Ikeja to Katangowa, the take-off of the Katangowa project was in its final stage of implementation.

    The government said it would ensure its speedy completion.

  • Lagos to fix 43 roads, others

    he Lagos State Government yesterday unveiled its plan for rehabilitating some roads and clearing drains to avert flooding between now and December.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Works and Drainages Temidayo Erinle, at a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, said the Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) would rehabilitate 43 major link roads and other deplorable highways and arterial roads.

    Besides, the corporation’s engineers have been sent out to identify other failed roads.

    Some of the 43 roads are Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi; Ojota Interchange transiting the ramps on both directions, Sina Ogunbanwo Street, Agric Road Oko-Oba, Ifako Ijaiye; Club Road off Osborne Road, Ikoyi; Oroke Drive, Ikoyi, Eti-Osa LGA; Central Avenue, Apapa; North Avenue, Apapa; Maybin road, Apapa; Lateef Jakande road, Ikeja; Gberibe road, Ikorodu; TOS Benson road, Ikorodu; Oke Sabo along Imota; Itamaga, Itoikin; Oba Sekumaderd, Ogolonto, Ikorodu; Adeniran Ogunsanya road Ikorodu; Admiralty way, Lekki Eti-Osa; Topo inward Ajido, Badagry; Hospital road, Badagry and Ijesha road network, Surulere.

    Other roads include Liverpool Apapa; 1st Avenue Festac Amuwo- Odofin; Kirikiri road, Ajeromi Ifelodun; Ojo road, Ojo; College road, Agric, Ojo; Baale road, Ojo LGA; Okun-Owa street, Ajegunle, Ajeromi Ifelodun; Crowther Crescent, Apapa LG; Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja; Shasha road Akowonjo; Bonny Camp Victoria Island; Musa Yar Adua street, off Ozumba Mbadiwe; Obafemi Awolowo way, Ikeja; Old Abeokuta motor road; Pen Cinema to Abule Egba; Iju road, Ifako Ijaiye LGA; Akowonjo road, Alimosho; Itire road, Babalola bus stop axis, Mushin LGA; Diya street, Gbagada Kosofe; Chivita road, Ajao Estate; Asa Afariogun street, Ajao Estate; Herbert Macaulay road, Yaba; Ahmadu Bello way, Victoria Island; Lekki Epe Expressway to Ibeju Lekki Axis.

    The government, Erinle said, was not oblivious of commuters’ challenges, adding that the corporation has been repositioned to address issues relating to potholes and drainage.

    He said: “We want to take advantage of some dry days to carry out repair works on Lekki-Epe Expressway between Adetokunbo Ademola to Samuel, section of Ikorodu Road between the new and old pedestrian bridges inward Maryland, Ikorodu Road, Ketu Bus Stop and Ikuomola Street, Idimu Alimosho Local Government Area.”

    Erinle said work had begun to de-flood the state because of the torrential rainfall which led to high intensity of about 465mm of water within five days.

    The state, he said, had been divided into five zones – Alimosho, Ikeja, Mushin, Kosofe, Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, Oshodi-Isolo and Somolu (Zone 1); Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo Odofin, Ojo and Badagry (Zone 2); Ikorodu (Zone 3); Apapa, Surulere, Lagos Island, Mainland and Eti-Osa (Zone 4); and Ibeju Lekki and Epe (Zone 5).

    Erinle said, dredging of primary channels and outfalls; clearing/cleaning of collector and tertiary (street) drains have been carried out in all the zones. A drainage master plan covering the state has been developed to improve on the earlier four master plans, he added.

    Under the new comprehensive master plan, Erinle said 169 primary channels/outfalls have been identified.

  • Ebora’s prophecy on Lagos

    Today, Hardball remembers his late father — God bless his soul!  Indeed, there are many things to remember the old man for.  But this time, it is about a particular counsel, hinged on iron conviction.

    “Son, if the whole of Lagos goes this way,” he was wont to say, “and you’re convinced the opposite direction is the way the way to go, just stick to your guns.  It is only a matter of time,” he would add, “when the crowd would make a u-turn, and queue behind you.”

    So, it is with former President Olusegun Obasanjo aka Ebora Owu.  The other day, he made the equivalent of a prophecy, on the plane of political economy, swearing Lagos would become the third biggest economy in Africa before he died! Geez, everyone loves a winner!

    Flashback to Obasanjo’s imperial days at the Nigerian presidency.  A time, perhaps consumed by presidential hubris, Obasanjo exploded: “Lagos is a jungle” — and indeed it was — and the presidential emperor had no apologies over his declaration.

    Another: the Lagos Bar Beach front, with its umpteenth overflow of ocean waves, was an open window for Obasanjo’s presidential bumbling, when Tony Anenih, Obasanjo’s first Works minister, would order truck loads of sand to combat intruding ocean waves!  Cutting edge solution to ocean encroachment, wasn’t that?  Or just a soulless growth area for PDP-era corruption, that hit a monstrous scale under Jonathan?

    Ah, lest we forget: the Ebora Owu, newfound hot lover of Lagos, withheld local governments’ funds, just because the Tinubu government had the audacity to create additional local governments, as prescribed by the Constitution, and the presidential emperor declared himself above the grundnorm!

    Well, thank God, a committed corps of Lagosians, starting with the Tinubu governorship (1999-2007), followed up by the Fashola tenure (2007-2015) and now, the Ambode administration (2015-date), have been hard at work, turning Obasanjo’s Lagos “jungle” into a success story.  Glory be to God — and to punishing thinking, relentless innovation and iron determination!

    By the way, before Obasanjo went on his power wild goose chase, didn’t Governor Tinubu implement the Enron power scheme for Lagos, an initiative supposed to be embedded, to light up Lagos?  What did Obasanjo do as president?  Insist it must pass through the national grid — and Lagos was the worse for it.

    Obasanjo and Lagos are reminiscent of the Nigerian Christian, if mischievous, prayer: May God not kill my enemies, so they can proclaim, with own mouths, the glory of God in my life!

    Now, Obasanjo is proclaiming the glory of Lagos — the Lagos he fought tooth-and-nail as misguided president!  Shout halleluyah somebody!

    Had Obasanjo, as Nigerian president, shown the grit and vision Bola Tinubu showed as governor of Lagos, perhaps his brag about the Lagos economy would be the Nigerian story.  But alas!

  • AFRIMA jury arrive Lagos

    AHEAD of the 2017 adjudication process for the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, its 13-man international jury has arrived Lagos, Nigeria’s former capital.

    Commenting on the adjudication process being embarked upon by the AFRIMA Jurors, Robert Ekukole stated “This is a crucial stage in the AFRIMA Awards process. The objective of adjudication is to access well-deserving artistes and music professionals for nominations in the regional and continental categories and eventually to emerge as winners through public voting”.

    The adjudication process includes the responsibility of screening, categorizing, assessing and selecting nominees from the total of 4,816 works submitted for 2017 awards consideration from African music artistes, songwriters, music directors, producers and entertainment journalists at the closure of the two-month entry submission window in July this year.

    Also speaking, AFRIMA’s Associate producer, Adenrele Niyi stated; “We can’t over emphasis to the Jury that the core values of the awards with acronym FACE-IT, which are fairness, authenticity, creativity, excellence, integrity and transparency, must reflect in the adjudication process, pre-selection process, auditing phase, nomination process and the eventual public voting process”.

    Among the highly experienced music professional are Charles Tabu, a versatile Congolese music management guru, representing Central Africa alongside Cameroonian media executive Robert E. Ekukole. Southern Africa representatives include Delani Makhalima from Zimbabwe and Christian Syren from South Africa.

    With support from the African Union Commission (AUC), AFRIMA is in its fourth edition. The award ceremony showcases the best and rewarding great musical and cultural efforts with the 23.9 karat gold plated AFRIMA trophy. The main awards events are scheduled to hold from November 9 to November 12, 2017 and broadcast to over 80 countries around the world.

  • We spent N15bn to beef up security in 2016- Ambode

    We spent N15bn to beef up security in 2016- Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday evening said the State Government spent over N15billion last year to beef up security and ensure the safety of lives and property.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at a dinner held at the Lagos House in Ikeja, in honour of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, who was on a two-day working visit to the State, said security, being one of the tripods upon which he administration is built, has improved drastically since he assumed office.

    He attributed the development to the sustainability of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), a template, he said has helped to champion funding of security agencies to carry out effective policing across the State.

    “Like the IGP said yesterday, the template of which we are using to run the Security Trust Fund is worthy of emulation and he has also averred that they would like to replicate it in other parts of the country and also for men of the Nigeria Police Force,” the Governor said.

    Recommending the LSSTF model to other States, Governor Ambode said the initiative has gotten serious buy-in by the public, revealing that out of the N15billion spent on security last year, the private sector contributed over N5billion.

    The Governor particularly commended the efforts of former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Musiliu Smith, who is the Chairman of the LSSTF, saying that the model he midwifed in 2007 has changed the face of security in the State.

    “That same template that he (Smith) brought to Lagos that we have continued to use in the last 14 years and it’s been working and in different forums, he has shared how he started it and how we have also improved on it.

    “For us to be having the private sector, just to give you a very clear example, as at last year, we have spent as a government close to the region of N10billion, but the private sector has actually contributed more than N5billion of their own money into the Security Trust Fund.

    “There is no way the private sector would do that if they don’t believe in the cause of our Security Trust Fund. So I want to recommend it also to others, it is something that could work in other States. Like you said, funding is a major issue for security in this country and then we can have partnerships with the private and public sector to also help in securing the country,” Governor Ambode said.

    Stressing that security remains fundamental to the development of the nation’s economy, the Governor assured that the State Government would continue to support the Police and other security agencies.

    Besides, Governor Ambode also commended the IGP for his commitment to ensure effective policing across the country and especially in Lagos, however urging him to continue to do more in that regard.

    “What we are doing tonight is in honour of the IGP as a testimony of our affection and acceptance to the quality of service he has continued to render to this country and most especially Lagos State.

    “I would like to say a big thank you for having that deep interest in Lagos and that you should never set your eyes off all the activities of Lagos.

    “We believe strongly that if Lagos is peaceful, here would be life in other parts of the country. I believe the task ahead is greater than the things that you have achieved in just a few months that you have been there and I believe you would make your own mark just like your predecessors,” the Governor said.

    Earlier, IGP Ibrahim Idris said that despite the cosmopolitan nature of the State that makes policing difficult, officers posted to Lagos were enjoying the very best in terms of equipment and welfare.

    He said the visit afforded him the opportunity to learn more strategies adopted by the State Government in the business of securing lives and property.

    “Like I said, Lagos has been a sort of pace setting State for us, it has given some areas that we are tapping from.

    “What I want to say is that possibly by the time we want to implement the Security Trust Fund, we are still going to tap from one of the Lagosians here, a retired Inspector General, for us to gain from his wisdom in that area,” he said.

    The IGP said he was highly honoured by the reception given to him since he arrived, saying that the hospitality of Lagosians was second to none.

    “I have been overwhelmed since I came to this State. I doubt if there is any other State that has this kind of hospitality that we have seen since yesterday (Thursday). Honestly, I am overwhelmed and I appreciate all the attention that we have received both from the royal fathers and from your office.

    “Virtually everybody in Lagos is very enterprising, you can feel the friendliness in the atmosphere, I want to thank all of you for the support you have given our police force and obviously for the support you are giving our officers on the ground,” the IGP said.

  • Ambode: Lagos to acquire aircraft for waterways surveillance

    The Lagos State Government will procure a surveillance aircraft to fight crime on the waterways, Governor Akinwumi Ambode said yesterday.

    Kidnappers have been on the prowl in the riverine areas seizing people from their homes and schools.

    The governor, who spoke when Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Idris Ibrahim visited him at Lagos House in Ikeja, said the government would provide additional gun boats and equipment to safeguard the waterways.

    His administration, he said, would ensure that the state is safe and secure.

    According to Ambode, the Southwest Governors’ Forum, in a recent meeting, resolved to set up a joint task force on security to stop criminals using the waterways to escape.

    He sought the IGP’s support in ensuring the initiative’s success.

    The governor asked for two additional police area commands in Ikorodu and Badagry, saying the state would provide the funds to set up the commands.

    “Funding is key to security, but security also is fundamental to the growth of Lagos and the prosperity of Lagos, so we are ready and we are committed to support all our security agencies, the Navy, the police to make sure that we have a safe city where we can be investor-friendly and also grow the economy,” he said.

    The said with the multi-billion dollar investments coming up in the Lekki corridor and the need to secure the area, there was also the need to relocate the Mobile Police Command in Ibeju Lekki to Epe.

    Thanking Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and the IGP for their interventions in securing the release of the six kidnapped Lagos State Model College pupils, Ambode said the incident showed the need to beef up security in the riverine boundaries of Ondo, Ogun and Lagos states.

     “In addition to that, we commit ourselves also to provide additional Hilux vehicles and personnel also so that with the joint task force, we can actually clean up our waterways. I’ll like to also let you know that we are also in the process of procuring a surveillance aircraft that can actually deal with issues that relate to our waterways.

    “I am in total agreement with the IGP that there is a need for us to create a marine post along our waterways which you are already looking at, we must create some kind of outpost among Ondo, Ogun and Lagos so that these criminals cannot come into Lagos.

    “All these that I have requested, I know that it comes with additional personnel and it comes with additional financing, but I give my commitment; the safety of the people of Lagos is paramount to me and I am ready to fund it,” Ambode said.

    Earlier, Idris praised the governor for his support to the police command especially in providing equipment and welfare for officers. Lagos, he said, was leading the way in matters pertaining to security, especially through its innovative Security Trust Fund which has become a national model.

    He said the police were working out modalities to enhance their activities in the state especially in the coastal areas, adding that about 10 additional gun boats would be procured, and the Police Marine enhanced to man the boats.

    “I believe with these enhancements and with the capacity to provide these gun boats, the Nigeria Police Force will effectively check these criminal activities and ensure security in Lagos and other areas,” the IGP said.

  • When ’ll Lagos PDP crisis end?

    When ’ll Lagos PDP crisis end?

    Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s search for unity has not produced the desired results. The protracted crisis has made it difficult for the party to play its role as the opposition voice.  Musa Odoshimokhe examines the issues causing frictions in the party. 

    Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not known peace for quite some times. It has continued to sink in crisis and there is hope in sight. The division has hindered it from playing its role as the leading opposition party. It has weakened the party on other fronts. For instance, analysts say the recent local government election in Lagos State was PDP’s worst outing since it came into existence.

    In the prelude to the council polls, members loyal to the chairman, Moshood Salvador, went into alliance with the Labour Party (LP), to field candidates for the election. The decision was reached in order not to deny their members who actually wanted to serve, but could not do so under the banner of PDP.

    Segun Adewale, the factional leader, had taken over the secretariat when the Appeal Court ruled in favour of Senator Ali Modu Sherriff and was mandated to coordinate the council elections in Lagos.

    When the Supreme Court finally made its judgment, the Modu-Sherriff camp lost out. This configuration opened new challenges for the Lagos PDP. It was obvious that Adewale would have to leave the secretariat.

    Last week, in a letter the National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Ben Ndi-Obi, to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, directed that the keys to the secretariat should be handed over to former National Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George.

    The letter urged other party members to be present during the handing over by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. The handing over ceremony which was held in the Police Commissioner’s office, lasted over an hour. Salvador was present. Adewale was absent.

    When they came out, George told reporters that the meeting was fruitful and would put an end to the lingering crisis. He said the party was doing everything possible to accommodate all shades of opinions.

    The PDP chieftain was interrupted by another Board of Trustee (BoT) member, Mrs Aduke Maina, who said she was not comfortable with George’s position.

    George said he would hand over the keys to the authentic Lagos PDP chairman, Salvador. But, this did not go well with Maina, who told George that as leaders of the party, all members must be present before he could handover the keys.

    Both leaders tried to explain their positions on the matter to reporters. Observers wondered whether the closed door meeting with the police commissioner had calmed frayed nerves, in view of how the party washed it dirty linen outside.

    Maina, who later left the scene, murmuring and blewing hot, left nobody in doubt that that party  may embark on another phase of battle. It means PDP is yet to get its acts together and must wake up from its slumber to hit the ground running, ahead of 2019, observers say.

    Reacting to the conduct of Maina, George said the PDP leader had allowed sentiments to becloud her sense of reason. He said every action he took was approved by the PDP in order to forge ahead, noting he would not do anything contrary to the interest of the party as directed by the National Caretaker Committee.

    George said: “I must thank the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, for providing good leadership to his command. Let me assure all our people in Lagos that there is peace in PDP. I have collected the keys in the presence of Mrs. Aduke Maina, who is also a BoT member.

    “I will handover the keys there to our people to operate. The secretariat is opened to all and sundry. The notion that there is crisis in Lagos PDP is not true. I understand there is friction, in any political setting it is bound to happen like that. But, the national secretariat is still alive to moderate all the activities of the party.”

    Maina said: “Let me caution at this point that, the people representing the party here are not the only party members. There are still numerous party members, who are absent from this gathering. So, if you want to handover these keys for peace to reign, you have to get every other person to be present.

    “You cannot hand it over to just one person, every person must be present, and we should not shy away from doing what is right. We are elderly people, who should be able to resolve our problem. We should be able to sit down and resolve them amicable.

    “Temper is high right now in the party, let every one of them who want to hold meeting at the secretariat hold meeting at different times. After sometimes, we will all work together. That is my own suggestion,” she said.

    But, George who cautioned that her suggestion would be counter-productive, expressed confidence that the PDP would bounce back.

    He said: “The only state that is yet to have congresses without faction congresses in the Southwest is Oyo State. When you see those who are with Modu-Sherriff and they are coming back to the party now that the Judgment had settled the matter, they behave strange; we can see their cacophonies of voices.

    “Everybody may say whatever they want, we still have caretaker committee, who will decide what is to be done and they are going to do exactly what is right. I Bode George, a member of the BoT, that provides the moral leadership of the party, I have collected the keys and I am going to hand over the keys to Salvador.

    “The other people, if they have grievances, there are procedure of resolving it and not to come here and be talking like somebody who is aggrieved. Is she personally aggrieved? PDP is not my personal property, but the party has directed that the keys should be handed over to Chief Bode George,” he said.

    The factional chairman, Adewale maintained that Salvador must come out with a proof that the directive was from  the National Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Markafi.

    He said: “I am ready to step down tomorrow, if Salvador can show me the same letter that was given to me at when I was elected as the Lagos PDP chairman prior to May 15, 2016 or let me even fast forward it to when the Supreme Court judgment was pronounced.

    “If I can have a letter from Markafi, saying Segun Adewale, you are not my chairman because you did not support me, you supported Sherriff and because Salvador supported me, he is my chairman, I will resign.”

    He said most people lacked an understanding what was happening in the Lagos PDP, stressing those who never bothered to find out were accusing him of causing trouble in the party.  The PDP chieftain added that he was elected by the people to serve as the chairman of the party.

    He called on the national leadership to make declarative statement, expressing the voidance of the May 15, 2016.

    “If they say that my emergence at that congress is unaccepted, I will leave the secretariat for Salvador. I have worked very hard for this party and the results are there to prove.

    “Even in the recent Lagos council polls, I produced some councillors for the PDP. When I contested the 2015 Lagos West Senatorial election, I produced five House of Representatives members and Seven House of Assembly members.

    “I am the authentic PDP chairman. What Chief Bode George does regularly is that, for every congress, he will just choose the chairman, but we refused this time around. We had our state congress and former governor of Kano State Ibrahim Sekarau came to supervise our election.

    “A PDP BoT member, Mrs. Aduke Maina, was part of the congress, the six PDP House of Representatives members voted during the state congress,” he said.

    Salvador said the Supreme Court had cleared the way for the peaceful existence of the party.

    He maintained that the judgment indicated that light would prevail over darkness. He called on all members to unite to build the party which would be repositioned for electoral successes and good governance.

    Salvador said: “Let me take it from the judgment of the Supreme Court, you can see that the judges made their verdict from the constitution of our party. All the decisions taken were made from what our constitution says. And I can confidently tell you that it is the constitution that allows me to be the chairman of the party after our congresses.

    “Regardless of all the lies, I have the receipts of payment for the ward congresses. I have the receipts of payment for all the nomination forms which are with me. During the 17th August, Convention in Port Harcourt, I was listed in the convention programme as state chairman of PDP in Lagos.

    “Segun Adewale was listed as a national delegate representing Alimosho. At what point did he become chairman of the party in Lagos State. This is act of impunity, so I don’t join issues with what is not necessary an issue. This is why we have to go through it procedurally and in a proper manner.

    “We are all members of PDP and we are going to accommodate as much as possible, so let me give you that assurance. You journalists were present, when we had our congress, who among you was present at the purported congress held by Segun Adewale?

    “I am very sure none of you can beat his chest that he or she was present at Adewale’s congress. I must say that they are just like the Kashamu of Ogun PDP because they want to create problem which is not good for the party.  I want to say reconciliation committee has been constituted and I can assure you that everybody will be pleased with the outcome,” he said.

    Obervers said what is happening to the PDP, showed that it is a spent force. They said things have fallen apart for the party and the centre could no longer hold. They believe that Lagos PDP which also inherited part of the crises that emanated from the national body, may be consumed in the façade.

    The combatants in the Lagos PDP crisis seemed not to have given up on their stance to work at cross purposes. If the situation remains as it is, PDP would need a person with outstanding diplomatic mien, to douse tension and unite the party.

  • NPA uprades Lagos port clinic

    NPA uprades Lagos port clinic

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Ms Hadiza Bala Usman has urged terminal operators, clearing agents, importers, stakeholders and other port users to make use of the newly upgraded Lagos Port Complex Medical Center, Apapa, to boost 24-hour port operation.

    She expressed dissatisfaction with stakeholders for not coming forward to make use of the 24-hour facilities provided by the  NPA to boost services and take care of their health issues.

    Ms Usman stated this yesterday, while commissioning the Lagos Port Complex Clinic inside the Apapa port.

    The Managing Director also bemoaned the 9am to 5pm working hours by the importers and their agents, in spite of the 24-hour port operation policy of the Federal Government. Importers and their agents, she said, are not coming forward to clear their goods after 5p.m, a situation she berated.

    She also said the palliative measures on the alternative route to the dillapidated Wharf  road have commenced in order to address the traffic challenges facing the port.

    “We are encouraging all agents and the port community to come and see what we have and start using our facility twenty four hours.

    “We have noted that the 24hours service are not being utilised outside the 9am to 5pm working hours, so we are encouraging agents to come and clear their cargoes outside of the 9-5 normal working hours, NPA and other agencies have deployed all their facilities towards twenty four hours operations.

  • Lagos, NGO collaborate on WASH policy

    The Lagos State Government has taken steps to evolve a policy to drive the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector. This came to the fore at the weekend in Ikeja, at a retreat organised by the state government in conjunction with the Save the Children International (SCI) on the review of the draft WASH policy.

    At the event, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare. said clean water, basic toilets and good hygiene practices were essential for the survival and development of children, while being very critical to human health, survival and development. He added that many countries and cities were challenged in providing adequate sanitation for their entire populations, leaving people at risk of WASH-related diseases.

    “According to World Health Organisation (WHO), there are around 2.4 billion people who lacked basic sanitation (more than 35 per cent of the world’s population), and 663 million who do not have access to clean water sources,” he said.

    Adejare noted that access to safe water and sanitation could turn problems to potential by unlocking education and work opportunities, and bring about improved health for women, children and families across the world.

    He stated that the  Lagos State government was determined to achieve the aims of the UNICEF Sustainable Development Goals to “ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.

    He said: “It is in furtherance of the foregoing, that we are all gathered here  to critically look at the newly enacted Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017 and the draft policy on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) with a view to developing an implementation framework.”

    The SCI Area Operations Manager for Lagos and Cross River, Roy Chikwem, stated that the NGO, through the Stop Diarrhoea Initiaitve (SDI), considered the approval and full implementation of the Lagos WASH policy as the bedrock of preventing childhood diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases among under-five children in in the state.

    “We believe the retreat will resolve the overlapping functions between the MDAs, integrate the PENWASH mandate of the WASH policy and fully integrate the New Environmental Protection Law recently signed by the government,” Chikwem told The Nation.

    The policy is expected to guide government activities in relation to water and sanitation, identify the relevant WASH Agencies and streamline their roles.

  • Greener Lagos: Ambode hails PPP, solicits more support

    Greener Lagos: Ambode hails PPP, solicits more support

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has attributed the success recorded in the greener Lagos initiative to the active involvement of the private sector. He is delighted at the number of sites already developed and maintained by private companies and individuals across various locations in the state.

    Ambode, who spoke during the second Stakeholders Forum on Greening at Alausa, Ikeja, recalled that the Public-Private Partnership, which started about 15 years ago, has reduced the expenditure of the government on the greener Lagos initiative.

    He noted that about 120 sites have so far been developed and maintained through private sector participation out of the over 350 sites in all the local governments and local council development areas in the state. He was represented at the forum by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare.

    According to the governor, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) is presently opening up more areas and sites in all the 57 LGAs and LCDAs in the state for adoption by interested corporate bodies or individuals for the continuation of the Lagos Greening Initiative.

    Ambode said the belief of his administration is that in the foreseeable future, the maintenance of all the gardens and parks across the state would have been taken up by “the Green Investors” and the state government will only regulate and monitor their activities.

    He maintained that although the cost of establishing world class recreational parks and gardens with state-of-the-art features and facilities are quite enormous, his administration will not rest on its oars in investing in the sustainability of the environment.

    While highlighting some giant strides of the state government in the greening initiative, Ambode said: “the ongoing upgrading of Alausa Park in front of Lagos State House of Assembly to a world- class standard with the provision of improved infrastructure and garden lights will serve as a major source of attraction to the citizenry.

    “Also in the last two years, we have commenced the landscaping and beautification of seven setbacks along Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, the Gbagada-Oshodi median and the LASUTH perimeter fence setback, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja.  All these had attained over 60 per cent completion status among several others,” the governor stated.

    He used the occasion to make a renewed call to private investors for their continuous support towards upgrading the beautification of more sites and be part of the story of a transformed Lagos, stressing that such collaboration would further increase Return-On-Investment for business owners and also boost their business reputation.

    The governor added: “Our approach to infrastructural development in this state is all inclusive. As we build bridges, we beautify the environment; as we construct more roads we adorn them with trees; as we open up new towns, we landscape all the degraded areas; this is our attitude to moving Lagos towards becoming a sure destination of choice for tourism and investment.’’

    Earlier, Adejare, represented at the event by the Special Adviser to Ambode on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe,  said that the forum will go a long way in improving the working relationship between the state government and Private Sector “Partners”, especially on how to support government and plan expansion of the greening culture.

    “Convergence such as this is intended to create an avenue to review together all contending issues in all the policies relating to the environment with a view to making suggestions for improvement. Also, we can jointly facilitate shared inquiry into how to encourage adoption of green infrastructure through technology advancement at the state level” Adejare stated.

    He appreciated the continued partnership of investors with the ministry, saying that their support over the years has earned the state several awards locally and internationally.

    He informed the participants at the forum that awards would be presented to some committed partners who have been exemplary in supporting the state government since inception of the greening programme.

    The highlight of the events was the unveiling of the draft copy of Lagos Greening Policy and presentation of Green Ambassador Award to Zenith bank, GTBank, Ecobank, UBA, Fidelity Bank and SevenUp Bottling PLC for their sustained effort towards a cleaner and greener Lagos.