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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos uncovers 5.5m tax evaders

    Over 5.5 million people in the informal sector have been evading tax in Lagos State.

    The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, gave the number yesterday at the Third Annual Lecture and Inauguration of the Public Service Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Lagos.

    Abiru said there are eight million taxable individuals in the informal sector and only 2.5 million are captured in the tax net.

    He said: “Taxation is the bedrock of this administration because the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) almost doubles the allocation from the Federal Government. The government is working hard to capture defaulting individuals and businesses in the tax net for proper collation.”

    ICAN President Mr. Doyin Owolabi urged traders to report illegal tax collectors to the government.

    Owolabi said: “Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of the country, so people expect a lot from the government, but they are not willing to pay tax.

    “Some are complaining that taxes are being collected from them by some officials, but most of the funds do not get to the government’s purse. Individuals in the informal sector should report such fake officials to the appropriate quarters, so that they would not have to pay tax twice.”

    He said the government would be able to provide necessary amenities for the people, if the IGR increases.

  • ‘Blood free in Lagos hospitals’

    Blood is free in all Lagos State-owned hospitals; patients are only asked to pay for blood screening. Blood has the same value with human life and therefore, it cannot be quantified with money,” a member, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), Mr Solomon Eka, has said.

    He spoke in Lagos during a voluntary blood donation campaign organised by the committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

    He also urged Lagosians to develop the culture of voluntary blood donation with the view to regulating blood supply in the state.

    Eka said: “Lagos is yet to achieve 100 per cent voluntary blood donation. Despite the awareness and education on the need to donate blood, it has not yet yielded the desired result.”

    Oluwatoyin Tuase, also of the ministry, said: “Voluntary blood donation is a service to humanity; a good opportunity to give back to the society.”

    Meanwhile, the Indian community in the state has also partnered with the LSBTC on voluntary blood donation. The Indians, under the aegis of Saint Nirankari Mission, aka ‘Universal Brotherhood’, is a spiritual movement, dedicated to humanity.

    The Mission’s Head, Preveen Kapur, said the need for blood was on the increase in all parts of the world.

    “Voluntary blood donation is a social responsibility that saves lives. The goal of the mission is to raise awareness on voluntary blood donation; having realised the need expressed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), that there were massive shortages of blood throughout the world in the blood banks.

    Another member, Dr Deep Miran, said voluntary blood donation is important because no one can survive without blood.

  • Lagos urges Fed Govt to pay N13.3b pension arrears

    The Lagos State Government yesterday urged the Federal Government to pay the N13,374,189 billion it owes retired public servants in the state.

    The Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, spoke with reporters on the second anniversary of the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration.

    She said the non-payment of the arrears has brought untold hardship on pensioners and put “unnecessary” burden on the state government.

    The commissioner said the arrears were the federal government’s share of the pension, adding that the state government had paid its share.

    She said: “We are appealing to the Federal Government to pay the N1, 107,267,537 pension arrears of retired state government workers and the N12,266,652,137 it owes local government workers.

    “The state government, through the Civil Service Pension Office, has forwarded applications for the arrears to the Federal Government and we hope it will pay the benefits before the pensioners pass on.”

  • Lagos rakes N6.28b from Land Use Charge

    Lagos rakes N6.28b from Land Use Charge

    Lagos State Government realised N6.28 billion from the collection of Land Use charge on properties last year, the Commissioner for Finance, Tokunbo Abiru, has said.

    Abiru, who briefed journalists on the activities of the ministry ahead of the sixth anniversary commemoration of the Babatunde Fashola’s administration, said the amount was an improvement over the N250million recorded in 2008.

    He said the feat was achieved through the comprehensive billing approach adopted by the state government.

    “The adoption of the comprehensive billing of enumerated properties greatly helped to push up our revenue in 2012. As a matter of details, out of a total number of 641,132 enumerated across the state, 622,155 representing 97 per cent were billed.

    “The outstanding 18,977 billable properties which are mainly raw records, and yet to be processed, but not exempted from payment, are now receiving due attention. It is gladdening that we have removed many of the problems encountered in the administration of the charge, and the voluntary payment by residents has helped a lot,” he said.

    Abiru said records from the Lands Company Limited charged with the responsibility of collecting the charges for the first quarter of 2013, sign-posted robust revenue for the year.

    He implored residents to uphold the tradition of paying their Land use charge promptly, saying that it would assist the government to deliver more development in the state.

    He said a total of N18, 031,148, 931 had been paid by the state government as pension to its retirees in the last five years, adding that N671, 094,145 had also been paid by the state‘s underwriters as compensations to dependants of 183 deceased workers as death benefits.

    He said three tranches of bonds valued at N275billon had so far been issued by the state government, explaining that the proceeds were being used to finance on-going infrastructural projects.

    He said the state attained 89 per cent budget performance last year, adding that the government has commenced the funding of the N499.6billion 2013 budget with vigour to ensure it achieves its set goals.

    He also assured residents that all on-going projects will be completed, saying the state had embarked on financial strategies to ensure that projects undertaken by the administration are not left uncompleted.

    Abiru also put the state’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue at N29billion, inclusive of what the state receives from the Federation Account, adding that the figure amounts to an average 10.7 per cent over the last five years.

    He said, “In specific terms, our total revenue grew from a monthly average of N18.9billion in 2008 to about N29billion in 2012, which amounts to an average yearly growth of 10.7 per cent over the past five year-period. Over the five year period, Internally Generated Revenue accounts for over 65 per cent of the total revenue.

    “This reflected the stable nature of the state’s fiscal revenue, as it continued to rely more on IGR, rather than revenue receipts from the Federal Government which are subject to external shocks and dictated by prices of oil in the international market,” he said.

     

  • Lagos modifies sanitation exercise

    Now that the rainy season is here, the Lagos State Government has dedicated subsequent state-wide environmental sanitation exercises, more to cleaning silted drains and canals across the state, among tackling other environmental problems.

    Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, has implored residents to troop out on Saturday to clean drains and canals around their homes to combat flooding.

    “This has become necessary in view of meteorologists’ forecast that the state would experience heavy rains and severe thunderstorm. Lagos is a Coastal City with high water table content and flood-prone. Whenever it rains, we must be prepared to reduce the incidence of flooding in the state,” he said.

    He warned residents who still patronise cart pushers to desist from the illegal act, but rather, dispose of their waste through LAWMA/PSP operators.

    Bello, however, said that as much as the state is committed towards ensuring that canals and channels are always clean, Lagosians should desist from dumping waste into canals in order to attain a flood-free Lagos.

    Human and vehicular movement, he said, would be restricted between 7:00am and 10:00am as usual, while commercial bus operators and inter-state transport operators are warned to keep their vehicles off Lagos roads, to avoid prosecution in line with the state Sanitation Laws.

  • CROSS RIVER STATE TO HOST AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

    CROSS RIVER STATE TO HOST AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

    AFRIFF 2013 GOES TO TINAPA

    Organisers of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have announced that the third edition of the event will hold from November 10th to 17th, 2013 at the popular TINAPA resort in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.

    Founder and Project Director, Chioma Ude noted that the synergy created by experiencing the festival in Calabar will be something to cherish for a lifetime. She said it will be the ultimate experience for all participants from home and abroad.

    The unveiling of this year’s edition which held at the Rhapsody Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos, was attended by His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State and his wife, Mrs Obioma Imoke. Also at the event was the Special Adviser to the President on Strategy and Documentation, Mr Oronto Douglas and the cream of the Nigerian Film Industry including several Nollywood guild heads and notable stars.

    Governor Imoke expressed pleasure at the union between his State and AFRIFF saying, “The Africa International Film Festival is a natural inclusion in the colorful yearlong calendar of world class activities held in Cross River State.” Attesting to this development, Mr Oronto Douglas said that the Federal Government would support the State Government efforts at promoting this film festival and other film festivals, and taking them to greater heights.

    Chioma Ude expressed gratitude to the government and people of Cross River State for believing in her vision and partnering with the festival to deliver an exceptional experience in their state. She explained that AFRIFF was a platform that seeks to give expression to players in the African film industry by recognizing and rewarding excellence in the sector.

    Conceived by Ude three years ago, AFRIFF presents a complete immersion into the world of film making with participation from local and international, actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, sound engineers, musicians, editors, light engineers, students, equipment manufacturers and businessmen. The objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favorably with their contemporaries all over world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through Festival organized fora and several capacity development workshops; complement government’s efforts at revamping small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

     

  • Lagos landlord to perfect documents before July 31

    The Lagos State Government yesterday told landlords to validate their title documents before July 31.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting on the Land Use Act (Title Documentation) Regulations, 2012, which was held at the Bankers’ House in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Ipaye said the new Land Use Act would take effect from August 1.

    He said the implementation date was extended to enable people who bought land after the Land Use Act, 1978, validate their documents.

    The Special Assistant to the Governor on Justice Reforms, Mr. Lanre Akinsola, said the state would issue a new title document, named “Approval of a Subsequent Transaction to a Deemed Right of Occupancy”, to persons who bought their land from other persons.

    It would be issued along with the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and Governor’s Consent.

    He said the documents can be used as collateral for financial transactions.

    The Executive Secretary of the Land Use and Allocation Committee, Mr. Aina Salami, said the new Land Use Act would end racketeering and forgery of documents.

     

  • Nigerian Breweries donates four patrol vans to Lagos

    •Fashola advocates support on security

    The Nigerian Breweries Plc yesterday donated four Hilux patrol vans to the Lagos State Government.

    Receiving the vehicles at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babatunde Fashola urged individuals and organisations to emulate the company’s gesture and be involved in security.

    He said: “There are threats around us and it would be difficult to remain an island of safety unless we prepare. This requires us to remain vigilant.

    “Our emergency lines are 767 and 112. If you see something unusual, please say something. We must take the first step to protect ourselves by being security conscious.

    “There are things that are better done during the day than at night. We will continue to publish security tips. No nation or society is crime-free. Even in the safest cities, as you might want to describe them, there are places I will not go at night or alone.

    “The government cannot do it alone. By installing closed circuit television cameras in public places, owners of supermarkets, restaurants and malls can protect their businesses as well as the whole community.

    “The donation of these vehicles shows that Nigerians now have a better understanding of the importance of security. With these four vehicles, 32 more policemen can patrol our state, with an average of eight persons in each.

    “The challenge of maintaining and fuelling these vehicles remain that of the state government in partnership with the State Security Trust Fund.”

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicholas Vervelde, said the company is involved in several projects in the state.

    He said: “Nigerian Breweries, in collaboration with the Lagos State Electricity Board, is installing street lights at Abebe village. With the Ministry of Environment, it has co-financed the drain in Iganmu.

    “We are working with the Ministry of Transport on bus shelters at Iganmu-Costain Roundabout. We are also busy with external consultants and the government to develop and implement a plan to transform the park at Costain Roundabout into a top class recreational facility.

    “We have been refurbishing school blocks, libraries and classrooms at Obele Primary School in Surulere, Igbobi College in Yaba and Okesuna High School.

    “We have donated dialysis machines to Ikorodu and Badagry General Hospitals and trained the operators. We are looking at the possibility of setting up Accident and Emergency Wards at the hospitals in partnership with the Ministry of Health.”

    The Executive Secretary of the State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, urged corporate organisations to partner Lagos on security.

    Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Ranti Adebule and Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba were at the event.

     

  • Still on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    SIR: Last year, when the Federal Government terminated the May 2009, concessionary agreement it entered with Bi-Courtney Limited for the redevelopment and modernisation of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the general consensus across the land was that it was a welcome development in view of the concessionaire’s foot dragging on the project.

    The Federal government subsequently went ahead to appoint two reputable construction firms namely Julius Berger plc and RCC to do some palliative works on the road in order to reduce the stress of motorists along the road.

    The palliative works did to a large extent, lessen the trauma of motorists along the road, especially during the December 2012 festive period. However, the understanding then was that by 2013, real work geared towards the commencement of the redevelopment and upgrading of the road would begin in earnest. However, till date, there is nothing concrete on ground to suggest that government is about to start work on the road. The result is that the road is gradually returning to its hitherto distressing and frustrating state. In particular, the portion of the road from Sagamu intersection to Lagos is worst hit. This is quite understandable as this is the busiest section of the expressway consisting of a vast business and residential hub made up of emerging communities such as Mowe, Arepo, Magboro, Ibafo, Asese, Olowotedo, Pakuro among others.

    For all our efforts at attracting foreign investments into the country, if we cannot take care of minute details such as improving a major highway that could enhance such investments, then we had better forget it. Being the main expressway, providing the primary link between Lagos and other parts of Nigeria and hence, a road of primary economic and social importance to the nation, it is imperative that the Federal Government take urgent steps to ensure that the situation of the road improves.

    To put the Nigerian economy on the lane to speedy recovery and growth, Federal Government would have to immediately commit itself to a result-driven programme that would make the road a driver’s delight. There must be a time-frame known and acceptable to Nigerians for the completion of this road. While the federal government is fine tuning efforts to redevelop and modernize the road, one would like to implore the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to as a matter of necessity mobilise its men and resources to address the failed portions of the road in order to avert imminent disaster, reduce travelling time as well as lessen every trouble associated with travelling on the road.

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi

    Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Lagos sponsors knee replacement surgeries

    Lagos sponsors knee replacement surgeries

    •Women walk again after 10 years

    Two women, who have been down with arthritis, can now walk again, following total knee replacement surgeries at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

    For almost a decade, Mrs. Rafat Arowolo and Mrs. Rafat Oyelakin could not afford the surgeries, which cost about a million naira each, until the Lagos State Government came to their rescue through its Limb Deformity programme, which assists people with limb deformities.

    The surgeries were done by a 10-man team of health workers, led by Dr. Ladipo Adewole, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.

    Mrs. Arowolo, a 60-year-old petty trader, was all smiles as she took her first steps with crutches after a long time. Before the surgery, she could not walk because of pains in her left knee.

    She had “progressively worsening deformity of the knee”, otherwise called bow leg and knee instability. She had sought treatment in many hospitals without improvement.

    Mrs. Oyelakin (52) had “progressively worsening deformity of the right knee”, otherwise called k-leg, and could not walk.

    Her husband, Yisa Oyelakin, a staff of the hospital, told the hospital’s management about his wife’s condition and she was enrolled as an out patient.

    She was treated for three years, but did not respond to medications and physiotherapy.

    Mrs. Oyelakin was told that she needed a total knee replacement surgery, but she could not afford it.

    Both beneficiaries and their relatives are grateful to the Lagos State government.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday at the hospital on why the government took up the women’s cases, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said: “The government thought it wise to discourage people from taking our resources abroad for surgeries that can be done in the country. By starting this exercise, we will build local capacity for surgical procedures like this.

    “It is also an avenue to train resident doctors aspiring to become certified specialists as well as nurses and physiotherapists, who will be responsible for patients’ nursing and rehabilitation management.

    “This way, surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists get to manage such cases frequently and become more proficient. Also, Lagosians who cannot afford this treatment will be the ultimate beneficiaries.”

    Idris said because the 12 knee replacement surgeries that had been done since the inception of the programme were inadequate for training, provisions have been made for a fixed number of free knee and hip surgeries monthly.

    He said: “Through this effort, the government will be saving a lot of funds that would have gone to India and other places abroad, aside caring for its people, building human capacity and developing enduring physical and institutional infrastructure.”

    Idris said the beneficiaries were considered because they had severe osteoarthritis of the knees, a condition characterised by worn-out cartilage at the end of the bones that form a joint.

    During the surgery, the worn-out cartilage and some bones are removed and replaced with prostheses.

    The commissioner said: “The surgical procedures were carried out using INDUS total knee implants made in India. An Indian surgeon, Prof. Nagare, was in attendance to demonstrate the peculiarities of insertion of that particular implant to LASUTH surgeons, exchange personal experiences and give them a few tips and tricks.

    “The surgeries resulted in the patients being able to walk again without pain and deformity. Both patients had uneventful post-operative periods and were discharged one week after surgery.”