The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Lagos: we did not revoke existing building permits

    Lagos: we did not revoke existing building permits

    The Lagos State government said it has not revoked all existing building permits as reported in some online media.

    This clarification, it said, became necessary following a misleading headline report in an online news medium, stating that the state government revoked all existing building permits.

    “It should be noted that the issuance of Planning Permit is the prerogative of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) which is under the supervision of the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development.

    “The directive issued by the Special Adviser on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde was that Letters of Authorization to commence construction, issued by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) needed to be revalidated because most developers, after obtaining the letter to commence construction fall short of engaging all relevant professionals in the building projects.

    “The revalidation is to allow the Agency to do proper audit and authentication of all the professionals that will be engaged in building construction in the state,” the state said.

    Read Also: Ondo protest organisers pull out

    Dr. Babatunde also disclosed that buildings under construction that had been abandoned for a long time needed to be re-certified before recommencement of construction to ascertain the structural stability of the building project.

    He directed that henceforth, nobody should sleep in buildings undergoing constructions and all construction work should not go beyond 7pm everyday and there should be no building construction work on Sundays.

    He further directed that property owners and developers should revalidate all letters of authorization to commence building construction issued to them.

    He called on developers to always ensure that all relevant professionals in the built environment, such as civil/ structural, electrical, mechanical engineer, and architects, are engaged in building construction.

  • We won’t join gang-up to set Lagos on fire, says Arewa community

    We won’t join gang-up to set Lagos on fire, says Arewa community

    The Arewa Community and Traders in Lagos State have distanced themselves from the proposed national protests.

    They urged members not to partake in the ‘sponsored protests by faceless groups and individuals’.

    The group said it is against the proposed national protest because ‘we believe we don’t need any national protests against the administration of President Bola Tinubu at the moment, especially when there are a lot of transformations and people-oriented policies being carried out by the administration’.

    Leader of the Arewa Community and Traders Alhaji Shehu Usman, while addressing a news conference at the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, said his people are totally against the proposed national protests and will not be part of any plan to cause trouble in Lagos State. 

    He, therefore, implored all the members of the Arewa community and traders in the state not to take part in the national protests.

    “We are fully aware that some politicians and their sponsors, under the guise of protesting against what they claim is hardship in Nigeria, have ganged up to bring down the democratically elected government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    “We are worried and concerned about the plan of these faceless sponsors who are determined to achieve their evil objectives through acts of brigandage and criminality during their proposed #EndBadGovernance protest.

    “We recognise the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to protest peacefully, but the drums of war being beaten from various quarters based on the demands of those championing the national protest, targeting Lagos State, the home state of President Bola Tinubu, will not be allowed by the Arewa Community and Traders in Lagos who live in different parts of the state. 

    “We are not in support of the protest because we believe some fifth columnists, politicians, and those who want to set Nigeria, particularly Lagos, on fire are behind the protests for selfish interests.

    “The images left behind after the EndSARS protest of 2020 are fresh in our memories. We don’t want to repeat that bad event where people lost properties worth billions of naira. We don’t want another mass destruction of public and private properties in Lagos State. We don’t want another destruction of public assets in Lagos State, which is the commercial and economic nerve center of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Lagos Taskforce conducts joint visibility patrol, fitness walk

    “As Arewa Community and Traders in Lagos State, we say unequivocally that we will stand against any protest against President Bola Tinubu in Lagos State. We are against any protests in Lagos State because we don’t want any destruction. We are in support of peace in Lagos and Nigeria.

    “Lagos State has been home to many of us for years, and we will not support any attempt to destroy it in the name of protests by some faceless groups and individuals. We are against the protests, and we want all our members not to participate in the national protests.”

    Also speaking, the Arewa Women Leader in Lagos State, Hajiya Fatima Bako, kicked against the protests. 

    “We are saying no to the national protest because we want peace in Lagos State and Nigeria. We are totally against the protest.”

  • Court restricts protesters to Freedom, Peace parks in Lagos

    Court restricts protesters to Freedom, Peace parks in Lagos

    The Lagos High Court has barred protesters in Lagos from converging at any other location in the State except at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park, Ketu.

    Justice Emmanuel Ogundare issued the restriction following a preemptive ex-parte application filed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN).

    He said the application was to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property in the State.

    The defendants/respondents are Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group); Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take it Back Movement); Persons unknown and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

    Moving the application, Pedro argued that as the Chief Law Officer of Lagos, and being privy to notices by different interests who are for and against the nationwide protest, there is a need to protect the critical infrastructure and prevent a recurrence of the violent and destructive #EndSARS protest in 2020.

    According to Pedro, the police do not have sufficient manpower to provide security support for the protesters in all the local government councils, highways and other public areas, hence the need to restrict them to particular locations.

    Read Also: Dangote Refinery: Approved crude oil supply shows Tinubu is a listening leader – Arewa Think Tank, CSOs

    He argued that there was a need to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums poised to wreak havoc in the guise of protesting against alleged bad governance.

    “In recognition of the citizens’ fundamental right to stage a public protest against government policies and actions but prevent unlawful destruction of lives and properties in the process, the Lagos State Government has designated two public spaces and locations in the state where citizens can meet and converge to protest or express their displeasure against government.

    “The locations are Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos State. 

    “Public protest in all the local government councils and public highways as well as other areas of public access in the state for 10 days is a deliberate plan to shut down the state and if this is allowed it will amount to economic sabotage.

    “An order of the court is required in the circumstances so as to protect the fundamental rights of first to fifth defendants/respondents to protest and other residents opposed to the protest to go about their lawful without harassment, disturbance and destruction of public buildings/properties.”

    Justice Ogundare granted: “An order of pre-emptive remedy by way of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the first to fifth defendants/respondents whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants or any other person(s) acting through them from converging and carrying out their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies, procession and meetings in Lagos State from the 1st-10th August 2024 except in the approved designated location for peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings, to wit: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park Ketu Lagos from 8 .00 am to 6pm pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the claimant.

    “An order of pre-emptive remedy by way of interim preservative order is hereby granted directing the sixth defendant (CP) to protect the fundamental rights of the first to fifth defendants/respondents to freedom of association, peaceful public protest, procession and tallies in the approved designated location for peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings in Lagos State, to wit: Gani Fawehinm Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road Ojota, Lagos and Peace Park, Ketu Lagos from 8am to 6pm on August 1-10, 2024 pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the Claimant.”

    The court also ordered the police to provide security support and traffic management support to the protest organisers at the designated locations.

  • Lagos task force raids black spots

    Lagos task force raids black spots

    The Lagos State Task force has raided some notorious black spots known for illegal drug peddling and other criminal activities.

    During the operation, which targeted Aminkanle Market, NerdC Street by African Shrine in Agidigbi, and other locations in Ikeja, the state capital, illicit drugs, including Colorado, hemp, codeine, and other harmful substances, were seized.

    Read Also: FRC to punish entities violating corporate governance code

    The exercise, led by the Chairman of the Task force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, started at dusk,  when illegal traders and drug peddlers set up makeshift shops and barricades, causing traffic disruptions and environmental nuisances.

    These activities have long flouted the state’s environmental laws through indiscriminate drug use and improper waste disposal, thereby threatening public peace.

    CSP Akerele emphasised that these raids are part of a continuous effort to address the public’s concerns over the menace of drug peddling, hooliganism, and street trading, which also fosters criminality in these areas.”

  • Lagos new ferry service kicks off

    Lagos new ferry service kicks off

    The Lagos Omibus 40 passenger ferries built by Caverton Marine Limited in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, kicks off today within the Lagos metropolis.

     The Ministry of Transport and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), in a statement said the Omibus pilot operations will focus on thorough testing of the ferries, data collection, public awareness, and operational framework refinement ahead of full deployment.

     The statement added that during the two-week pilot operation period, the ferries will operate on three key routes, with one round trip per day on each route – one in the morning and one in the evening.

      Highlighting the scheduled trips and routes, the first Omibus ferry will depart Ikorodu by 7:00 a.m to arrive at Ebute Ero (Drop-off Only) and will head to its final destination at CMS.

     The second leg will take off also at Ikorodu by 7:00 a.m and arrive Victoria Island (Addax) by (Drop-off Only) and will drop off its remaining passengers at Falomo. While the third leg for the morning trip departs Badore at 7:00 a.m and arrives Victoria Island (Addax) (Drop-off Only). It will finally arrive at Falomo.

     The evening trips will be return legs of the morning trips to their respective ferry terminals departing from CMS to Ikorodu by 4:30 p.m, Another 2 ferries departing from Falomo at 5:30 p.m to Ikorodu and Badore respectively.

     The Omibus ferries have received international recognition for their safety standards from Interferry, a prestigious global ferry association, for meeting and exceeding IMO international standards. This acknowledgement underscores Caverton Marine’s commitment to safety and excellence in the design and construction of the Omibus ferries.

    Read Also: Shun planned protest, Lagos chairman Tijani begs youths

     Embarking on this pilot scheme will also enable the promoters of this laudable Waterways transportation initiative to collect operational data, evaluate the operational costs, passenger experience, and overall efficiency of the Omibus ferries.

    And finally, to raise public awareness about the benefits of waterway transportation and the features of the Omibus ferries.

     Upon the success of the pilot programme, the management of both Lagos State Ministry of Transport and LASWA anticipate commencing regular passenger operations, with an increased frequency of trips per day.

     “Omibus ferries are with international safety and standards and offer a comfortable travel experience. Join us in this transformative journey towards alleviating traffic congestion and enhancing water transportation,” it stated.

  • Lagos announces traffic diversion on Osborne/Dolphin to Sura, Adeniji Adele link bridge

    Lagos announces traffic diversion on Osborne/Dolphin to Sura, Adeniji Adele link bridge

    •LASWA begins test run of Omibus ferries Monday

    The Lagos State Government has announced a traffic diversion from Osborne/Dolphin Estate to Sura en route Adeniji Adele link Bridge from midnight, Saturday 27th July, to 5.00 am on Monday, 29th July 2024 for asphalt pavement.

    Motorists coming from Osborne/Dolphin Estate are advised to connect the Sura Link Bridge to Adeniji Adele to access the Third Mainland Bridge to continue their journey, while, motorists from the State House at Marina are to connect Obalende to link Simpson Bridge inward Sura, to access Adeniji Adele to link the Third Mainland Bridge for their desired destinations.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi assured that the State Traffic Management Personnel will be on the ground to manage vehicular movement and reduce inconveniences.

    Motorists are implored to be patient and adhere to the direction of movements by the Traffic Management Personnel.

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) will commence a week-long test run of the Omibus ferry on July 29, the General Manager, Mr Damilola Emmanuel has said.

    In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday, Emmanuel stated that the pilot phase of the new waterway commuting in the state will take off on Monday.

    He said: “We are thrilled to announce the Omibus pilot programme launching on July 29.

    “This initiative, powered by the Ministry of Transportation and LASWA aims to revolutionise waterway commuting in Lagos.

    Read Also: Police minister: protest a threat to national security, prosperity

    “Join us for a week of testing our Omibus ferries, during which we hope to collect essential data, and increase public awareness about the future of waterway transportation in Lagos,” he said.

    He stated that commuters would experience the Omibus ferries, operated by Caverton Marine, an Indigenous investor, first-hand during the pilot phase.

    Emmanuel added that passengers will be using the Cowry Card to pay for fare, urging them to simply tap in with their Cowry card to board.

    “We are using the test run phase to gather feedback to refine our service for the full launch. The ferry is designed to international safety standards and offers a comfortable and secure journey.

    “Our ferries are internationally recognised for safety and quality, providing a top-notch travel experience.

  • Lagos IGR to rise as strategic agenda on taxation takes off

    Lagos IGR to rise as strategic agenda on taxation takes off

    The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a new strategic agenda for  taxation and revenue collection meant to significantly boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Abdul-Kabir Ogungbo broke the news yesterday during a media parley held in Lagos.

    He disclosed that the new is also expected to boost tax compliance and increase revenue collections.

    Ogungbo said the comprehensive strategic agenda was expected to drive efficiency, compliance, and growth in the state’s revenue sector.

    He said the launch of the Automated Revenue Receipt (ARR) system would further simplify revenue receipt and payment processes for residents and businesses within the state.

    Ogungbo said the governor would be launching an upgraded Lagos Revenue Platform (LRP), platform, on August 7, which will be offering enumerated features and improved user experience.

    He also spoke to the ongoing amnesty program for property owners, offering a special opportunity for them to settle outstanding property taxes. He encouraged residents to take advantage of this program by making payments through the LRP platform.

    He also mentioned the e-GIS enterprise solutions being deployed by Lagos State, land administration portal, the Land Use Charge payers activation exercise among others

    He said the launch of the Automated Revenue Receipt (ARR) system would further simplify revenue receipt and payment processes for residents and businesses within the state.

    The scheme, he added, also aligned with the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,  built on four pillars of efficient policy structures, power of technology systems, strategic enforcement, and inclusive advocacy.

    He said: “The plan would optimize revenue processes and operations through automation across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the state, harmonise sector-based revenue operations and collections to promote seamless compliance by businesses and residents and implement sections of laws focused on driving compliance, such as PITA Section 85,” he said.

    Read Also: Tinubu establishes SCO-PMU to manage health sector funding

    According to Ogungbo, the scheme would further help in developing and implementing revenue opportunities in the digital economy, property, and informal sectors to capture new market potentials; collaborating with Federal Agencies to uncover remittances by corporate bodies for PAYE and other state-related taxes and establishing a Lagos State Revenue Court to adjudicate on all revenue cases.

    It will help the state government in achieving 99 per cent centralization of revenue management through the deployment of the Lagos Revenue Portal (LRP) for non-tax collections and e-TAX for tax collections and support deployment of Lagos State artificial intelligent chatbot system to drive seamless service-delivery for both formal and informal sectors.

    He said it will also help the state to collaborate with Local Governments to harmonize revenue collections, and in advancing public enlightenment on compliance standards through various channels, including town hall meetings, seminars, TV appearances, jingles, newspaper publications, social media, and more.

    Top most on the front bonnet is the launch and implementation of Revenue Automations Platforms:

    “We are committed to making it easier for our residents and businesses to comply with tax obligations. Our goal is to create a one-stop-shop for all LASG revenue collection needs, and we believe the ARR system will achieve just that. The LASG is also launching an ongoing amnesty program for property owners, offering a special opportunity to settle outstanding property taxes. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this program by making payments through the LRP platform,” he said.

  • Lagos on course to meet 2024 revenue target, says commissioner

    Lagos on course to meet 2024 revenue target, says commissioner

    Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, has said the state is on course to meet its revenue target for 2024 based on its half year revenue performance.

    George, speaking at the 2025 budget consultative forum for Ikeja Division, said the state hopes to meet its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target of N1,251 trillion and federal allocations of N596,629 billion.

    The forum was held across the state’s five ‘Ibile’ divisions of Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

    Providing updates on the implementation of the 2024 budget, the commissioner said the state generates over 76 per cent of its revenues independent of federal allocation, while contributing over 18 per cent to the country’s GDP.

    Read Also: Five die, five rescued in Lagos building collapse

    He added: “The government provided 23 per cent of the 2024 budget to its Economic Affairs Sector to cater for infrastructural renewal and development to modernise the city and support its growing population.

    “The state also launched several initiatives and projects to improve the standard of living, build infrastructure, ensure food security, enhance ease of doing business and affordable public transportation, and improve energy supply.”

    The ‘Budget Consultative Forum’ is an annual event where government functionaries meet with the people based on the incoming fiscal year to discuss developmental requests.

  • Agency wades into crisis between dredgers, residents in Lagos community

    Agency wades into crisis between dredgers, residents in Lagos community

    Lagos State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), has waded into a lingering crisis in the Era Community situated in Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Lagos.

    Residents of the community had accused dredgers of destroying their access roads due to their daily operations, but refuting the allegations, the operators claimed they have been doing their best to improve the community.

    In a statement, the agency said: “At a meeting held at the Conference Room of MIREMCO Lagos, all parties involved in the crisis resolved to settle their differences in the interest of peace.

    “Present at the meeting were officers of MIREMCO, the Dredgers Association of Nigeria (DAN), operators in the dredging business, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LSWA), different Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the area, the Baale of Era Community, Chief Olumide Erinle, and representatives of the landowners, among others.

    “All parties were given the opportunity to present their grievances. At the end of the presentations, the MEC officer in the MIREMCO, Mr. Waheed Popoola, called for the composition of a committee to settle the crisis. According to him, the committee should consist of the Baale, two representatives each from the operators, landowners, CDAs, and DAN.”

    Read Also: Lagos community celebrates as Leo youngsters bail them out of water challenge

    The Federal Mines Officer (FMO) in the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, Engr. Abayomi Oyegunshen urged all parties to come together for peace to reign in the community.

    In the Terms of Reference to the committee, Hon. Olanrewaju charged the members to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis and ensure that residents and workers in the area live in harmony and peace with each other.

    He said: “I want a quick and speedy resolution to the crisis so that all can live happily once again

    Meanwhile, another meeting is expected to be held this week for a long-lasting solution.  

  • NOC concludes O’ Yes event in Lagos  

    NOC concludes O’ Yes event in Lagos  

    The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) at the weekend staged an ‘O’ Yes Youth Empowerment Programme with no fewer than 600 youths at the Amuwo Odofin Olympafric Centre in Lagos. 

    They comprised 500 boys and 100 girls aged between 10 to 15 years.

    They engaged in various Educational sports comprising soccer, Volleyball, Egg Race, Sack Race, Dance competitions and Art.

    The Educational Sports aim to instil in children respect, friendship, tolerance and excellence.

    They primarily evolved the rules of the Games as there were no provisions for referees and technical officials, yet they achieved control of all the events by themselves.

    Earlier, the Senegalese Programme Manager of the Olympafric Foundation, Ms Coumba Marieme, who was in Nigeria to monitor the progress recorded on the project, explained that she came to see how far Nigeria had progressed and offered technical support.

    Read Also: Tana Adelana’s Tender Hedges secures 11 nominations at TINFF

    She held a pre-event Seminar with coaches and some team members.

    ”The workshop is a build-up of the O’ yes programme, which Nigeria’s Ibrahim Malik, the NOC project manager, has been running over the past few months.”

    According to him , the O’ YES programme is the Youth empowerment programme we have been doing over the past eight months. In that programme, we have workshops on sustainability and inclusion.

    Coumba added: ”It is still the same OlympAfric programme geared toward the same goals. Olympafrica programmes is not only a Nigerian programme. We have been holding the O’ Yes event in all the 28 Olympafrica Centres in Africa this year”.