A bill for the re-establishment of Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) is in the works at the House of Assembly, it was learnt yesterday.
The bill, titled: A bill for a law to establish the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and for connected purposes, has been committed to the committees on Education and Establishment after the second reading.
The committees were directed to report back to the Assembly in two weeks.
Considering the Bill at the second reading during plenary yesterday, the Assembly observed that the bill would re-establish TESCOM, which was eradicated in 2005 and replaced with six education districts across the state.
Briefing the House about pthe Bill, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Olanrewaju Ogunyemi said that the bill would provide uniform guidelines and control of post-primary institutions in the state.
He said further that some lacunas were observed in the state educational system after the creation of the six education districts and cancellation of the then TESCOM.
“The Bill would ensure the management of the careers of teachers in secondary schools in the state. The six districts operate differently and disjointedly.
“It would ensure that teachers have an appellate body in the commission, where they could air their views. It would empower the commission to make decisions on promotion, discipline and employment of teachers with the approval of the Governor,” he said.
Speaker Mudashiru Obara wondered why TESCOM was being brought back, after the House had approved the creation of the districts, which he said had operated for many years.
He said: “The House passed a Law that established the districts. Have we noticed any defect since we passed the law that established the districts? Nobody has spoken on the need to bring back TESCOM.
“We should be able to identify if the system is working. We must determine if the existing system has failed to stand the test of time. Creating a new commission means we have not done the right thing. Why can’t we insert TESCOM into the existing law rather than creating a new law,” he said.
Reacting to this, the Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, stated that the fears expressed by the Speaker was raised during executive briefings by the Ministry of Education.
He said that the agency handling the discipline of teachers could not do much and that TESCOM would not reduce the powers of the districts, which he said could only do little in the area of discipline of erring teachers.
According to him, the districts have not failed, but that TESCOM would solve the problems the districts and the ministry cannot solve.
Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Lanre Ogunyemi, said the fears of the Speaker were founded, adding that there was a conviction by the ministry that there was need to harmonise the districts with the reestablishment of TESCOM.
He said: “The districts would now handle the disciplinary cases of teachers on levels one to six, while TESCOM would handle those on level seven and above. The district heads would report to TESCOM, which has powers to take decisions.”
Rotimi Olowo said the advantages of the districts should be considered before the introduction of TESCOM.
Also, Abiodun Tobun said the advantages outweighed the shortcomings.
The lawmaker said Section 7, which empowers the governor to dissolve the board and appoint a caretaker committee, should be properly examined.
But Yinka Ogundimu said this could be handled at the committee level.
Tag: lagos
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Lagos to re-introduce teaching service commission
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Lagos begins graduate internship scheme
• Each beneficiary gets N25,000 monthly
The Lagos State is kicking its graduate internship scheme with each beneficiary set to get N25,000 monthly.
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Babatunde Durosimi-Etti, said 2000 young graduates are expected to benefit from the pilot scheme.
Durosimi-Etti, who spoke in Lagos yesterday after meeting with stakeholders , said the first batch of beneficiaries would be serve at various work placements for three months.
He said the programme will give people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to see what a career in the private sector is, as well as to be aquianted with the broad range of opportunities available across the industry.
The internships are open to young graduates who have not yet secured employment, or are underemployed. Durosimi-Etti said interns will be provided with an intensive programme of support and development, including an induction process and regular development sessions.
He said applicants are required to complete and submit the online application form.
The commissioner said the State Government expects the interns, not only to be offered full-time positions with the business they interned for, but that some interns are expected to start their own companies. -
Lagos gets N3.8b to tackle HIV
The Lagos State government yesterday said it got N3.8 billion ($9.6 million) from Global Fund to help tackle HIV/AIDS in the state.
Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Akinyemi Ashade, broke the news when he addressed reporters at Alausa in Ikeja, the state capital.
The commissioner said the fund would be used for the implementation of comprehensive HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support programme at 70 health facilities in Epe, Ikorodu and Oshodi-Isolo local government areas.
Ashade said about 10,337 people were living with HIV, adding that 3,876 of them were children.
He said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode visited Global Fund in New York, the United States of America (U.S.A), last June, to reassure the management of his administration’s commitment to the judicious use of the grant, to reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life of the infected and affected persons.
The commissioner said the grant would assist 289,344 persons to know their HIV status, 17,049 people living with HIV (PLHIV) to be placed on treatment, 54,140 expectant mothers to be tested for HIV and 2,131 HIV-positive expectant mothers to get treatment for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
He said: “Achieving these targets will not only contribute to the improvement in their quality of life but will also reduce the HIV prevalence.Ashade said the government projected N50 billion monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for 2018 and a budget of N1 trillion.
He said the government was able to manage the economy of the state through prudent and stringent management of available resources so as to realise the N30bn monthly IGR projected for 2017.
The commissioner explained that the state Bureau Of Statistics place the population of the state at 23 million, adding that currently only 5 million of the population are paying tax in the state.
He said it is expected that by next year additional 5 million people would have been drag into the tax net so as to realise the objective. -
COSON vs MCSN: Clash gets messier as Ope Banwo lands in Lagos
The supremacy battle between Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON and the Musical Copyright Society in Nigeria (MCSN) assumed a messier dimension on social media over the weekend.
Responding to a press conference granted by Chairman of COSON, Tony Okoroji, a board member of MCSN, Ope Banwo, who arrived Lagos from his America base, called Okoroji out on social media, questioning his grouse with the approval of MCSN as a rival Collective Management Organisation (CMO).
Okoroji had alleged of a conspiracy by some officers in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to grant MCSN a licence to operate asca CMO.
In a detailed Facebook post, Okoroji had said he was “aghast” to hear on April 3, 2017 that the AGF was about to grant a licence to MCSN, a move that he said will cause chaos in the industry.”I know the music industry and the copyright system in Nigeria enough to know that what I was hearing was a recipe for absolute commotion,” wrote Okoroji.”By such a decision, much of the progress we have made in the last several years which demanded relentless work would be wiped away. Our agreement with the broadcast industry negotiated over several years could become meaningless. The agreement with the hotel industry will suffer the same faith. Royalty income to thousands of artistes across Nigeria would evaporate. The body of decisions by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal on the Nigerian copyright system would have no meaning anymore. Question after question raced through my mind. How could the AGF have taken such a decision? Who advised him? Who did he consult? That night, I spoke with the AGF on the phone. It was clear to me that he had been told that the music industry would applaud such a decision! We agreed that I should come to Abuja on the first flight the next day so we could discuss the disturbing development.”
Okoroji also stated that he was directed by the minister to work with Mr Sylvester Imhanobe, a Senior Assistant to the Minister and Chief Okoi Obono Obla, the President’s Special Assistant on Prosecution, to work together.
He however, alleged that Imhanobe did not send a report.
“On my enquiries, I found out that Chief Obla also never saw the report,” Okoroji wrote.
“Months went by and I waited for something positive to happen for Nigeria’s creative industries. I even sent a reminder to the AGF and there was no reply. It is clear to me now that the process was hijacked and the AGF was given the impression that I was in support of the bizarre policies announced in his name!”
Rather, Okoroji said he sent three uncomplimentary text messages on April 25 which he did not reply but forwarded to the minister.
“Stupid fool. With your big fat head. I am told that you have not relent to say foolish things about me. Be careful, the law of libel will put you in control. Common adulterous man like you. Bastard!”
“I understand you addressed a press conference today and my name is mentioned. Be ready to hear from my lawyers in a long drawn legal battle. I knew that you arrogant pride will bring your fall. Idiot.”
“I have read your statements you made of me at your press conference. You will soon hear from my lawyers.”
But Banwo, a lawyer and record label boss, had questioned why Okoroji’s COSON objected competition in collecting of copyrights. In a Facebook post titled ‘Tony Okoroji Vs Attorney General of the Federation? – some urgent questions for Tony Okoroji to answer’, Banwo wrote: “Personally I am appalled and shocked at the campaign of calumny and campaign of lies and misinformation that Tony Okoroji and his henchmen have decided to mount against the person and office of the Attorney General Of The Federation for licensing a second musical copyright collecting society in Nigeria, MCSN to compete against him and provide alternative options for millions of Nigerians.”
Aside levelling the accusations, Banwo on Friday had called Okoroji to explain how he spent the over N300 million collected as copyright royalties on behalf of artistes to buy a building for COSON amidst a litany of questions?
“Who authorized him to use Nigerian Artistes money to buy office building for cash instead of distributing it to the suffering musicians? How much is the building worth and how much was paid for this building in cash?
“More importantly, when is the EFCC going to PROBE Toni Okoroji and the way he has managed COSON money? And when are the COSON Board going to probe him for spending artistes’ money recklessly without General Assembly approval?”
Banwo also asked Nigerian musicians who have had their music played to ask Okoroji’s COSON for their money while he pursued the case.
“As a stake holder and investor in the music industry, I will be forwarding a petition to EFCC and NCC to probe this questionable house purchase without due process of the bylaws under which he was granted Licence,” said Banwo
“I will also be demanding a public statement of accounts showing how he distributed over N300, 000, 000 to artistes and how much was actually distributed.”
Posting a video on Facebook Live where he went to COSON to make some of these enquiries, Banwo wrote later in a post that he “was almost mobbed” by COSON staff.
“I am encouraging all Nigerian musicians to go to Okoroji’s page and ask him what he did with over N300, 000, 000 he has collected in royalties,” Banwo wrote.
“How much percentage of that has he given to the artistes who own that money? And how much has he spent on his own lifestyle and in wasteful projects like purchasing this over sued house
“In case most Nigerian artistes are not aware, it’s a fact that Tony Okoroji and COSON has been collecting your royalties for your songs played on radio and TV, whether you belonged to COSON or not. So if your music has been played even only once on radio, Tony Okoroji has collected your royalty. Pls ask him “where is my money!”
And while Okoroji has not responded to Banwo, a board member of COSON, Azeezat Queen of Love took to Facebook to add her voice to the drama, calling Banwo a “troll” as well as labelling MCSN helmsman, Mayo Ayilaran as not trustworthy.
“I had seen a video of him (Banwo) evading the offices of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (and) I went to comment why he would do that,” said Azeezat
“After all there are various very dignified machineries for addressing differences of opinion. As a lawyer he should know better.
“In order to correct some notions I tried looking for my comment, couldn’t find it anywhere. Deleted. What are you afraid of Mr Banwo?
“But he comes to my timeline & starts spewing invectives.
“Mr Ope Banwo I am not afraid of you and your threats.
“You’re so full of it. I am even feeling annoyed with myself for dignifying your stupidity with an answer. But silence can sometimes mean obeisance, so I’ll do this just once.
“Try walking into MTN office to film without permission, and see what happens to you. Cos you say you’re a stakeholder (rather questionable) so you can walk into COSON office uninvited, without prior notification & then start filming. No sir, its never done. Except of course, you’re looking for trouble.
“We know what your problem is, really. Cos you’ve all been found out. And soon and very soon it will be judgement day!
“7 criminal cases against Mayo Ayilaran, and you want to trust him with collecting music royalties on behalf of Nigerian artistes, who does that?”
Both COSON and MCSN have been at each other’s neck over the collection of copyrights royalties, and it appears the drama is just unfolding.
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Lagos: Secrets of the success story
“The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams,”
The allure of Lagos is real-awesome in its power; seductively magnetic. Lagos is a place where it is safe to dream, if you are determined to make it real.
Lagos has variously been described, as: “Land of Promise”, “Promised Land”, “Home for All”, “Land of Commerce”, “Land of Performance”, “Land of Aquatic Splendour and Tourism” and “Centre of Learning”.
Some call it land of peace, of hope, of opportunity, of business, of legacies and of freedom among others. Mere 0.4% of Nigeria’s territorial land mass, Lagos harbours more than 21 million, or 18 per cent of Nigerians of different ethnic and religious groups; it has over 62 per cent of industrial and commercial interest. Lagos’s Internally Generated Revenue of 287 billion in December last year,-about 76 per cent of its total revenue- was more than that of 20 states of the nation’s 36 states.
The promise of Lagos is alive and well! With over 54 per cent of the country’s manufacturing employment, Lagos is the 2nd largest economy in Nigeria, 3rd in Sub-Saharan Africa and about seven or eight in Africa. It is the 7th fastest growing economy in the World, and even when it is already growing in leaps and bound, Lagos will surely experience a real exponential growth.
With the recent discovery of crude oil in the state, it is poised for special federal revenue allocation that other oil-producing states enjoy; what will be the largest refinery in Africa, or probably in the World, is projected for completion soon, Lekki Free Trade Zone, massive infrastructural rehabilitation and construction and integrated mass transportation system is going on at frenetic pace.
With dynamic, dedicated and visionary leadership, Lagos continues to promote and project best practices and reforms to ease administration, business and financial operations. The fact that IGR has increased so dramatically to N436 billion this year, is a pointer to the fact that a sound, sustainable revenue mobilisation measures have taken root.
On viability of Lagos State, the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said: “…is a land of opportunities, offering all residents the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours….a place where you have a chance to make it if you work hard…Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps Nigeria together.”
In fact, there is a popular maxim among Lagosians that “if you come to Lagos and you are not smart (not able to make headway), you cannot do that anywhere else on the planet, even in America!” Perhaps, the key word is “hard work” and, of course prayer.
Thus, the dream of most Nigerians is to experience Lagos first, even if they have to travel abroad in quest of more fortune. In fact, virtually all Nigerians who have made it to the top in all areas of life have done so, directly or indirectly, with Lagos connections.
Lagos as a land of hope and of opportunity, or where in Nigeria could one be hawking bread on the street, in one moment, a nondescript and the next, a celebrity!
“Lagos a Home for All”, means Nigeria will not break because Lagos is the adhesive holding Nigerians together.
Certain significant occurrences attest to this assertion. Have we ever pondered why all civilian governors since the First Republic, Lateef Jakande, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode- except the short three months period of Michael Otedola in 1983- have always been progressive, visionary, role models, achievers by far margin among their peers?
This is acclaimed even by their adversaries. Have you examined why virtually all these governors went on to assume greater national responsibilities and influence after their respective tenure?
Have we explored the reasons why Lagos was never conquered by ruling political party in 1983 and 2003? Recall, the malevolent “landslide” (or was it Moonslide) election of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) at the end of the Second Republic.
Governor Lateef Jakande of Lagos, and Governor Olabisi Onabanjo of Ogun States survived, “annexation” of the Unity Party states unscratched (of course Chief Obafemi Awolowo was from Ogun State); while Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin of Ondo State had to bitterly fight it to the Supreme Court, to reclaim his mandate from Akin Omoboriowo, of the ruling party, after much bloodletting that culminated into December 1983 coup of General Muhammadu Buhari and Col. Tunde Idiagbon.
Fast-track to 2003, when the evil tsunami of 2003 election, swallowed all the progressive states, but was unable to consume Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Lagos, which remained the bulwark and rallying point for the progressives till date.
True, Jakande put Lagos in the sun, but it was Asiwaju Tinubu that really repaired and strengthened the foundation, deeply eroded since 1983. Governor Fashola constructed solid structure on it, while Governor Ambode propelled construction to astronomical height- IGR was N300 million in 1999; it is N436 billion now.
When Southern and Northern Protectorates were amalgamated as Nigeria in 1914, Lagos was chosen over Calabar as federal capital. Was it by prayer, pre-destination, pure chance or divine intervention? Lagos is a centre of unity and freedom; maybe the reason that state remains the only one with its boundary intact since 1967.
Have we pondered why Lagos State has the full mix of variables that cause sustainable development, successions of visionary democratic leaders who continue to transmit models for good governance, proactive civil service, dynamic and egalitarian population, appropriate climatic and environmental condition and peace and harmonious co-existence of diverse groups and interests.
Some would say faith, some would say destiny. But virtually all would agree that prayer and perseverance for excellence by Lagosians-leaders and the led-is key for Lagos State’s successes. The reason for the establishment of Home Affairs Ministry is primarily to take care of the spiritual yearnings of Lagosians, reinforce our faith in the destiny of Lagos, promote this state of concord, care and love, inspire us to work harder without fear and secure our sustainable growth.
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Free medical service for Lagos community
In its resolve to ensure the well-being of residents of the area, the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area has begun medical mission. It was aimed at providing free medical advice, check-up, treatment and minor surgery for members of the community.
The free medical mission that was organised by the Sole Administrator, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr. Bashir Aare in collaboration with Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA) took place at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos.
Speaking during the inauguration of the event, the council chief said he was able to partner with the organisation because he is a foundation member of the Nigeria in the Diaspora Organisation America and has a affable relationship with the medical chapter.
Mr Aare said the initiative became necessary because few people have access to health care given our population and meagre available resources. He reiterated that the objective was to ensure a healthy community using the Local Council Development Area as a focal point for mobilisation of community members to come for treatment.
Also addressing some of the beneficiaries, the leader of the team Dr. Adeyanju Johnson said immediate diagnosis and treatment will serve as immediate prevention for some diseases. Dr. Adeyanju encouraged the people to come out for the treatment of their ailments while others whose cases require immediate but minor surgery would be attended to.
Two of the beneficiaries, Mr. Habeeb Abbas and Madam Maria Adeyanju appreciated the initiative and thanked the Sole Administrator for arranging the event that will bring succour to those who have some health challenges in the community.
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Lagos improves tourism profile with monuments
LAGOS State government has said it is investing heavily in building man-made monuments in the state to boost the tourism profile of the state and develop spectacles that tourists could visit.
This was disclosed by the state Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, during the annual ministerial briefing on the activities of the ministry.
She said: “The ministry has continued to install new and maintain existing historical monuments in the state. Much importance is placed on the sustenance of the cultural and historical heritage of the people of Lagos State and to attract tourists.”
According to the her, some of the monuments the state has worked to improve include Tinubu Square, statues of King Ado, Prince Olofin, Ma’ami and many others.
Mrs. Akinsola said the Lagos State government had decided that for any hotelier to operate in Lagos State, the hotelier must register.
She said: “We will monitor all the hotels that have registered. Those of them that have not registered with us, or do not want to register, we will advise them to come to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to register.
“We shall inspect your establishment and grade you and you continue to do what is expected of you by the law. If you have not done that, the ministry will be after you. We have begun to close down all these illegal establishments.”
Akinsola said the state government would in addition provide the necessary infrastructure and manpower.
She said: “We are not going to leave them just like that or in the hands of people that are not experienced. We are working to establish a school. We are still working on it. It is not in the budget, but we are looking at it, perhaps in the next year budget, it will be part of what we will be looking at. That is a tourism university where we will train people in this area that you have mentioned.
“The Lagos State government under the Ministry of Transport and Waterways Infrastructure has begun channelization of the waterways. This is to enable people travel by water and feel secured. These are some of the facilities that the government is putting in place before we can begin to tell people that we can do this on water.
“Part of it that we have tested is the boat regatta that we did on April 15 in four divisions of Lagos State. That programme was not just done. The water was certified that it was safe for people to do boat regatta and display their talents. So, we are working seriously on that.”
Presenting the scorecard of the ministry in the last one year, Akinsola said the ministry recognized the importance of destination branding, hence the state came up with One Lagos and One Lagos Fiesta which have all been registered to showcase the true spirit of Lagos through different creative expressions, while leveraging on the city’s abundant soft power to reverse the negative conversation often associated with Lagos; reinvigorate tourism across the state by celebrating our unique people, places and heritage and positively promote Lagos as the Destination in Africa.”
Other activities by the ministry include the Lagos Street Party, the Toronto International Film Festival and other activities.
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ASA live in Lagos tonight
FOLK musician Asa is set to mark the tenth anniversary of her debut multi-platinum album, Asa, with a world-class performance tonight in Lagos.
Tagged ‘Asa Live in Lagos Encore Concert’, the performance which will see Asa bringing her band and a 30-piece Orchestra holds at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.
This is coming on the heels of her last show in Lagos that ended her ‘Bed of Stone’ tour which many fans and music critics dubbed the best concert of 2016.
Born Bukola Elemide, Asa has become a runaway success musically.
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Lagos threatens to dethrone traditional rulers conniving with kidnappers
The Lagos State Government on Friday threathened to dethrone any traditional ruler found harbouring and aiding kidnappers in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Alhaji Muslim Folami, gave the warning at the ongoing ministerial briefing in commemoration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s second year in office.
“Intelligence reveals that some of these Baales, particularly from Ikorodu and Ishawo collaborate with the miscreants to kidnapp innocent souls.
“Yesterday, I told them to their faces this might lead to dethroning and we will do just that if investigations reveal that you are part of the criminality,” Folami said.
He said that the State Government had acquired five hectares of land for the permanent settlement of the security operatives in Igbodu community in Epe to check the incessant attack by kidnappers.
“The land has been cleared and ready for development,” he said.
He urged residents to partner with the government in fighting kidnapping and also advised them to be more vigilant.
Folami said that the establishment of a virile and vibrant system of community associations had over the years enabled the government to partner with communities, sensitise them on its priorities and receive feedback on public policies.
He said that the total number of Community Development Associations (CDAs) across the state as at March was 3,400, up from 3,292 recorded last year.
Folami said that many of the CDAs held monthly meetings to address matters of security, conflict resolution and also tasked themselves to ensure protection of lives and property.
“Community development is one of the primary goals of this administration, it is an established fact that development cannot take place without peace and harmony,” Folami said.
On the targets of the ministry before the end of the year, the commissioner said that initiatives would be expanded and improved to further create positive synergy between the State Government and the communities.
He said such initiatives include the market branding and community media campaign.
Folami said that there would be improvement of the 402 markets across the state through the provision of necessary facilities to include clinics, toilets, fencing and electrification and crèche for babies.
The commissioner said that the first phase of the community radio would take-off in five locations of the state.
According to him, the stations are expected to be data driven internet radio, with a view to taking advantage of the high penetration of mobile application users in the state.
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Lagos begins Health Insurance Scheme in November
The Lagos State Government has said the much awaited State Health Insurance Scheme (LSHS) will begin in November.
Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris stated this at the 2017 Ministerial press briefing of the Ministry of Health to commemorate second year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in Lagos State.
Idris said a core implementation team comprising relevant technical persons, stakeholders, private sector and donor community was set up to draw up a blueprint that will facilitate the effective roll-out of the scheme.
“An actuarial study was conducted to serve as an objective basis to inform decisions on the design of benefit structures, reimbursement standards and the effects of proposed government standards on the cost of healthcare for the scheme”, the Commissioner stated.
Idris said the operational guidelines for the scheme to provide a framework to guide the operations of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA); the agency established to manage the scheme, have already been concluded.
He added that the premium cost for the scheme has been determined and fixed, stressing that the fixed cost is lower than the actuarially determined cost to make it affordable for residents.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the appointment of the General Manager of LASHMA has been concluded, adding that the engagement of a consultant to mid-wife the selection process for the agency’s management team is at the final stage.
He stated that the business process manual (BPM) which gives details of how the day-to-day activities of the organisation would be executed has been concluded for use by LASHMA.
The commissioner noted that the soft launch of the scheme will start in June, with the commencement of mass sensitisation of all strata of Lagos residents and social marketing involving sustained multi-pronged consumer engagement, adding that focus will be on actively and creatively, engaging the informal sector on whose buy-in the success of the scheme is largely dependent.
He said: “Advocacy sessions with active engagement of relevant stakeholders critical to the success of the scheme have also commenced and are on-going. A robust advocacy and social marketing campaign has also been designed to facilitate the awareness and buy-in of citizens is to be rolled-out in June”.
Idris explained that the active engagement of the informal sector critical to the sustainability of the scheme is considered a priority, stressing that a strategy for engagement of the informal has been initiated with the support of Ministries, Departments and Agencies interfacing the informal sector on various fronts.
Idris while stating that the state government will finalise the details of the Provider Payment System (PPS) of the scheme with the relevant stakeholders like health insurance agents and providers, noted that the ICT platform for the scheme will also be finalised and tested towards the complete roll-out of the scheme in November this year.
“Looking back, I can confidently say that during this period the state health sector has made great progress; more than four million people had access to our facilities and more than 80,000 have been seen at the on-going medical mission for the treatment of common ailments at the grass roots. There is also a renewed vigor to kick start the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme to improve access to healthcare services”, the Commissioner said.