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  • Updated: Ambode inaugurates 20-man transition committee

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday inaugurated a 20-member transition committee.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello represented Ambode at the inauguration ceremony which took place at the SSG’s office in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The committee is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring smooth transition of power from the outgoing administration to the incoming on May 29.

    Tunji Bello and the deputy governor elect, Obafemi Hamzat are the co-chairmen of the 20 man committee.

    Members of the Committee include the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh and Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule.

    Read Also: Ambode performs pre-launch of $50m factory in Lekki Free Zone

    Other members include Permanent Secretary, Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Jimi Hotonu; Accountant General and Permanent Secretary Treasury Office, Mr. Abimbola Umar; Permanent Secretary, Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Abayomi Kadiri, Ayo Gbeleyi; Sam Ngube; Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins; Mr. Bayo Sotade; Solape Hammond; Mrs. Bunmi Fabanwo; Mrs. Bukola Odoe and Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka.

    Inaugurating the Committee, Ambode said a smooth transition to the next administration was imperative to ensure that the machinery of government continues to run smoothly without any hitch, considering the economic importance of Lagos to Nigeria.

    “In about seven weeks from now, the tenure of this administration will come to an end and a new administration will commence under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    “A smooth transition to the next administration is imperative to ensure that the machinery of government continues to run smoothly. Our State is a delicate one with very significant importance in the economic and social stability of our nation.

    “To maintain this stability, build on the solid status of our State and give the next administration a smooth take-off, it is imperative to quickly put in place a transition committee whose major responsibility will be to ensure a seamless transition to the next administration come May 29, 2019,” Governor Ambode said.

    He commended Lagosians for keeping faith with the progressive ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last two decades and also his administration, expressing optimism that the incoming administration would build on the achievements recorded so far.

    “Let me use this opportunity to once again express my profound appreciation to all Lagosians for keeping faith with this administration and the rare privilege to serve. Government is not a sprint or a short distance race. It is an unending race.

    “For us in Lagos State, it has been a progressive race in which every successive administration builds upon the achievement of the past administration.

    He charged the Committee to accord the assignment the diligence and commitment it deserves.

    In his vote of charge, the Deputy Governor-elect assured that the Committee would immediately commence its work and ensure that everything done is in the interest of the State, adding that it would be a transition of the same government as the incoming administration would build on the existing template to move the State forward.

    “Lagos State has always been a pace setter in everything and that’s exactly what we would do here. Everyone on this table is a prominent Lagosian and everything would be in the interest of the State; it’s the same government and it should be pretty straightforward,” he said.

  • ‘I won’t challenge result of Lagos guber poll’

    Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) says he will not contest the outcome of the governorship election in the state but prepare for the next election.

    Gbadamosi, a real estate mogul, told newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos that his decision was rooted in him having no confidence in the electoral system.

    He said: “My decision is to wait and contest the next election and hopefully, the votes will count then.

    “I agree that the election in the state was an absolute fraud and a sham with many instances of open multiple voting recorded in places like Ikorodu, Lagos Island.However, I do not have any more resources to waste on a process in which I have no confidence.

    “We keep learning and I believe that the will of the people will surely prevail in future elections in the state.“

    He also claimed that the fraud was carried out by known persons going from one polling unit to another, openly bearing firearms of all kinds.

    Gbadamosi, however, advised INEC to put its house in order to forestall most of the anomalies witnessed in the 2019 general elections in the future elections.

    He stressed the need to prosecute all those involved in electoral malpractices in 2019 general elections to serve as deterrent to others.

    The ADP candidate urged the incoming 9th National Assembly to come up with stiffer penalty for electoral offenders, to ensure much better polls in future.

    Read Also: Lagos-Ibadan highway: Pains of prolonged repairs

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Mr Owolabi Salis, the Lagos state governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has, however, approached the state Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the victory of Sanwo-Olu, followed by Mr Fagbemi Awamari, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

    The two petitioners prayed the tribunal to upturn the results of the March 9 governorship election, claiming that the election was marred by voter intimidation, vote-buying and multiple voting, adding that Sanwo-Olu was not fit to contest the 2019 governorship election.

    The candidates also sought a declaration of the tribunal that, the pronouncement of Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the governorship election was null and void and be set aside, based on the gross electoral fraud and/or gross electoral misconduct that characterised the governorship election in the state.

  • INEC issues Certificates of Return to 40 Lagos Assembly members-elect

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday presented Certificates of Return to the 40 members-elect of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who emerged victorious during the March house of assembly elections.

    Speaking at the event at the INEC office in Yaba, Lagos, Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, reminded the members-elect that the principal task ahead of them was that of making the lives of the people better.

    “Distinguished members, we want to urge you that the principal task ahead of you is the improvement of the lives of Lagosians.

    “Please, endeavour to enact very vibrant laws that will improve the lives of Lagosians. Of course, your past record is here; you have the tradition and you have been doing very well in the past. Lagos has always been excellent,” he said.

    Olumekun said there was the need to celebrate 20 years of uninterrupted democracy, but bemoaned low voter turnout during the last election, which he described as ”very disturbing”.

    “I want to urge you to mobilise not only your members, but even the entire electorate to come out and participate during the conduct of elections,” the INEC boss added.

    He commended all stakeholders that contributed to the success of elections in the state, noting that the exercise that saw the lawmakers through were considered free, fair and credible.

    The REC, however, said there were about 16 petitions filed in the election tribunal and the commission was ready to defend its conduct during the poll wherever necessary.

    He said that the commission had cooperated with groups and individuals who requested for one thing or the other.

    Speaking after collecting his certificate, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who will be returning for his fifth term, promised that the lawmakers would continue to do their best to ensure an orderly society and improve living conditions.

    He also commended INEC and other critical stakeholders for their performance during the elections.

    “This is my fifth time of coming to this place to collect certificate of return. We have listened to what you have said, we have heard that we should represent our constituency adequately, and show leadership.

    “We are going to serve our people and the interest of our people, and we are going to represent them adequately.

    Read Also: INEC sets up committee on Imo North senatorial poll

    “We are particularly concerned about the people, and we are not going to forget that in everything we do.

    “We have the interest of our people, and that is the purpose we are going to the parliament to represent their interest,” the speaker said.

    He said the assembly had done tremendously well, and the ninth assembly would not be different as the ear and mouth of the people.

    On the cost of executing elections, Obasa said that the nation had to be more prudent by looking for a more convenient and less expensive process that would be acceptable and credible.

    “I agree with you that we have done well in our last election; we must improve on what we have done.

    “Everyone is important, no matter what the status is. So, we must learn from this election to improve on incoming elections,” Obasa said.

    He said that Nigeria’s economic system demanded prudence,

  • Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, Abia, Anambra top reformed states in 2018

    Five states of the Federation on Wednesday night received awards for been top five reformed states in the year 2018.

    The states in descending order included Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, Abia, and Anambra.

    They received their awards from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Awards 2019 held at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Anambra State improved its score from 47 to 53.50 by making it easier to start a business and to register property in the State.  –  Abia State improved its score from 46 to 53.90 by making it easier to start a business and to register property in the State.  –  Lagos State improved its score from 48 to 54.90 by making it easier to start a business, register property and obtain construction permits in the State.  –  Enugu State improved its score from 47 to 56.82 by making it easier to start a business, register property as well as enforce contracts in the State.   –  Kaduna State improved its score from 55 to 65.97 by making it easier to start a business.

    Other companies and individuals that got awards at the ceremony included Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Corporate Affairs Commission, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion.

    Others are the Senate and the House of Representatives, Court of Appeal, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, National Assembly Environment Round Table, DFiD, World Bank, Oando Energy Resources, First Bank of Nigeria,

    Omotayo Omoniyi, who returned large sum of money found to the authorities also received award at the ceremony.

    Other awardees are FIRS, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Port’s Authority, Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Lagos State Judiciary.

    Banwo and Ighodalo, KPMG Nigeria, Procter and Gamble Nigeria, Deloitte Nigeria and Aluko and Oyebode also got awards at the ceremony.

    Osinbajo said “It really is a pleasure to be here this evening to celebrate the phenomenal successes of the PEBEC reforms but more importantly to recognize specially some of those who made it all possible. Our incredibly selfless and committed private sector partners and the sterling performance of many in the public sector.I n the past three years, Nigeria has implemented more than 140 reforms to make doing business in Nigeria easier.

    “Some of the  successful reforms include the ability to: Reserve a business name within 4-hours, Complete the registration of a company within 24 hours online, Apply for and receive approval of a visa-on-arrival electronically within 48hrs, File and pay taxes online; and, Access specialised small claims commercial courts in Lagos and Kano, The World Bank also reported in 2018 that 32 states of Nigeria improved their Ease of doing business environment led by Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Lagos and Anambra

    “In 2019, PEBEC set a goal to move Nigeria into the top-100 on the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Index (DBI). To achieve this, we will be pursuing the continued implementation reforms across all indicators, including

    “implementation of legislative reforms, specifically the  passage of the new Companies and Allied Matters Act  and the  Omnibus Bills, the expansion of the regulatory reform program started with NAFDAC and NAICOM to include other regulators, the establishment of a National Trading Platform for ports; and the concession of our major international airports.”

    Stressing that PEBEC has now commenced the fourth 60-day National Action Plan (NAP 4.0) on Ease of Doing Business, he said, NAP 4.0 is running from the 1st of March to the 29th of April, 2019.

    Read also: No controversy over status of Nigeria SEZ Investment Company – Presidency

    “It aims to deepen the reforms delivered over the past 3 years and drive institutionalization.

    “We have highlighted key action items in all of the focus areas to ensure they do not unravel, and to ensure we drive sustainability

    “Some of the targets achieved in the last NAP 3.0 include driving registration for utilization of the National Collateral Registry to facilitate access to credit for SMEs; Clearance of all pending NAFDAC registration applications to improve efficiency; and Creation of a strengthened single joint cargo examination interface in all airports & seaports for import and export to reduce the time spent at the ports.”

    He added “NAP 4.0 will focus on initiatives such as enforcing compliance with SLAs across all indicators/focus areas, driving the passage of the CAM Bill 2018 for improved effectiveness of company law in Nigeria, enhancing efficiency in the small claims court, and enhancing the application and approval system for visas on arrival, to mention a few.”

    The Council, he said, will continue to work extensively with all MDAs, the National Assembly and other key stakeholders.

    He said “All of us who have been involved in this incredible journey will agree that it has been both exciting and fulfilling even if admittedly sometimes frustrating. But that is the way of progress. I congratulate you all for the great successes and thank you all for keeping faith with our joint vision. In particular we must commend our private sector partners who have contributed immensely to the technical output of the EBES through the secondment of professional staff to the secretariat. Let me specially mention the KPMG Professional Services, Deloitte, Procter and Gamble, Banwo&Ighodalo, Aluko and Oyebode.

    “The NBA-SBL was also particularly instrumental in the drafting of the omnibus bill. About 40 law firms worked pro-bono towards this effort. Our nation is truly grateful to you.

    “We must also commend the Hon. Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Dr OkeyEnelamah for his focused and forthright leadership, and the incomparable and tireless Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry Trade and Investment Dr JumokeOduwole and her team.

    “To the rest of us I think we have demonstrated that the work of creating a world-class environment for commerce will be done by like minds in the Nigerian private and public sectors, and these are the  exceptional ladies and gentleman such as yourselves who form the PEBEC family, well-done everyone God bless you.” he stated.

  • Lagos committed to making the state work for all, says Ambode

    LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday inaugurated the state’s Resilience Office (LASRO), restating the administration’s commitment to making the state work in spite of challenges of urbanisation.

    He said the state’s mega city status has brought with it growing challenges such as traffic congestion, shortage of affordable housing, poor power supply and high rate of unemployment.

    The event, which took place at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, also signposted the state’s inauguration of activities as a member of Resilience Cities 100, an initiative of the Rockefeller Foundation, which started 20 years ago. Lagos was listed a member of the RC100 in 2017.

    Ambode, who was represented by Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, said in spite of its limited land size, Lagos is home to 23 million inhabitants, with a growing challenge of developing capacity to accommodate future growth.

    The governor, who opened the Resilience Lagos Week 2019, said LASRO has the mandate of making Lagos better, through the promotion of the wellbeing of the citizenry and building their resilience by helping people, community and institutions to prepare for, withstand and emerge stronger from acute shocks and chronic stress that comes with living in the state.

    Read also: Ambode lauds NYSC for election role as 2,568 corps members swear oath

    “Indications are that Lagos is by nature susceptible to some challenges, which could be best overcome through knowledge-sharing with developed world countries that had encountered similar challenges in the past, but have surmounted them,” he said.

    Ambode said the government would keep aggressively pursuing the transformation of its environmental challenges into opportunities such as waste to wealth, conversion of crime zones into beautiful areas, tree planting and greenery to mitigate climate change and the provision of affordable housing for all.

    He stressed that the partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation through the RC100 programme would help Lagos amplify their city resilience framework, which would help the state prepare for the increasingly unpredictable future.

    According to him, statistics have shown that despite its small geographic size, Lagos State, the country’s economic and commercial nerve centre, is home to a highly skilled workforce, with the greatest concentration of industries, key markets, financial and an information technology hub.

    The state, Ambode said, is growing 10 times faster than any other major metropolis of the world.

    President of RC 100/Rockefeller Foundation Mr. Michael Berkowitz said the admittance of Lagos State as a member of 100 resilient cities, which started in 2015, with the state’s application for membership, was concretised in February 2017.

    Berkowitz, who was represented by RC 100 Deputy President Nse Umo Esema, praised the state for coming up with the Lagos City Resilience Strategy (Lagos CRS), aimed at tapping into the deep resources and natural resilience of the people, with the hope of making the city more resilient to the current and future challenges.

    According to Berkowitz, “with a growing population, environmental challenges, and the burden of poverty as well as huge infrastructural gaps, Lagos needs to be resourceful, flexible, robust and adaptable in meeting its growing challenges, in spite of its dwindling resources”.

    The state’s Director, Development partnership Department in the Ministry of Economic planning and Budget Mr. Olalekan Bankole, said the RC 100 membership would help develop a pragmatic response to the needs of megacity Lagos, even as it grows into becoming a giga city (cities with 100 million population) by the end of the century.

    Among other lead presenters expected to speak at the four-day event, which would be rounded off on Friday are; former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Supo Sasore, SAN; a lawyer and poet Aduke Gomez;  Vassily Oye Barberopolous; Dr. Andrew Nevin; Weibei Boer; WaterAid International Director John Garrett and others.

     

     

  • 180 Nigerians deported from Libya

    Over 180 Nigerians stranded in the North African Country – Libya, were on Tuesday deported to the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The returnees according to sources were received by official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    The returnees , the source added were flown in aboard Buraq Air with flight number UZ 189- 190 .The aircraft was marked with registration number 5N- DMG. It departed MJI Airport Tripoli, Libya and landed at the cargo wing of MMIA.

    The Returnees comprised of adults female 82, female children two and female Infants 11 while the adults male were 79 with one male child and 5 five male infants making it a total of 95 females and 85 males.

    Read Also: I’ll do my best for Nigerians in my second term, says Buhari

    Welcoming the Returnees to Nigeria, the Coordinator, NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Office, Alhaji Idris Muhammed, enjoined the Returnees to make better use of their bitter experiences in positive ways by turning a leaf and forge ahead of the dangers and risks that they have escaped in the course of their unfortunately sojourn.

    He enjoined all the segments of the society to see the menace of irregular migrations as emergency situation. He said that any situation where a live is under threat is considered to be emergency risk and all hands must be on deck to stem to stop and prevent the threat.

    The Coordinator explained that in emergency situations, everyone has a role to play, the media, NGO, government agencies and especially parents must partner and cooperate to stem the menace of irregular with continuous enlightenment and awareness creation across the board.

  • Man docked for stealing motorcycle

    A 29-year-old man, Joshua Udoh, was on Monday brought before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a motorcycle, valued at N235,000.

    Udoh, of no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that Udo and others still at large, committed the offences on Dec. 28, 2018 at 11.00 p.m. at Owode Elede area of Mile 12, near Lagos.

    Ihiehie said that the defendant and his accomplices conspired to steal a Bajaj Boxer Motorcycle marked KTU 246 QH, belonging to one Mercy Ibok.

    He said the defendant was caught by men of the vigilance group in the area and handed over to the police.

    Read Also: Man needs N1.2m to bail wife, triplets from hospital

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, granted Udo bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Kubeinje ordered that the sureties should reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should show evidence of one year tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned the case until April 23 for further hearing.

    NAN

  • Police stray bullets kill teenager in Lagos

    Stray bullets from policemen attached to the Anti-Cutlism unit on Sunday night killed a teenager at Olu Aboderin Street in Onipetesi, Lagos.

    It was gathered the victim was watching Liverpool versus Tottenham English Premiership League match when the bullet hit him.

    He died before getting to the General Hospital Ikeja.

    On Friday, an Inspector was detained for shooting a motorcyclist dead at Kilo Bus Stop, Surulere, following alleged refusal of the latter to part with N200.

    An eyewitness identified simply as Emenike said the policemen had stormed the area to arrest a young man having dreadlocks on suspicion he was a cultist.

    After picking up their suspect, Emenike said the cops shot sporadically but one of the bullets hit the unnamed teenager.

    Read also: Police intercept bus laden with stolen PMS

    Meanwhile, the death of the teenager was said to have sparked protest stretching up to Mongoro Cement areas of Dopemu as hoodlums and motorists blocked the roads burning tires.

    It was gathered that the protesters made it difficult for vehicles to move.

    Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said the situation had been brought under control.

    He said: “We received the report and have mobilised our teams to arrest the situation.

    “The commissioner of police has ordered an indepth investigation into the incident.”

  • Sanwo-Olu: I’ll never betray Lagosians

    Lagos State Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday promised not to betray Lagosians after assuming the reins on May 29.

    He reiterated his determination to preside over an all-inclusive government, adding that other campaign promises will also be fulfilled.

    Sanwo-Olu described himself as a winner of free, fair and credible election, saying the electoral commission deserved applause for conducting a peaceful exercise.

    He also extended a hand of fellowship to the 40 opposition candidates who competed with him, stressing that their inputs were required in tackling the myriad of challenges in education, health, transportation and the environment.

    Sanwoolu said:”A victory for one is a victory for all. It is a victory for all Lagosisns. No victor, no vanguished. We will all make life better for Lagosians.”

    The governor-elect spoke at the Lagos State office of the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return from Resident Electoral Commissioner Sam Olumekun.

    Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by his wife, Dr Ibijoke; his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; his wife Oluremi; Lagos State APC chairman Tunde Balogun; party secretary Dr. Wale Ahmed; Governorship Advisory Council (GAC) deputy leader Prince Oluyole Olusi; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Chief Demola Seriki.

    Also at the ceremony were Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Pa Sunny Ajose, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Hakeem Bamgbala, Joe Igbokwe, Abiodun Salami, Bayo Ajisebutu, Ayodele Adewale, Bayo Ajisebutu, Fausat Gbadebo, Emmanuel Bamgboye and Imam Shakiru Gafar Mofesayo of Lagos Central Mosque.

    Thanking the stakeholders, Sanwo-Olu commended INEC and other apparatus of government involved in the election, saying that the reward for hard work is more work.

    He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for showing leadership example of what the APC stood for and for winning Lagos votes.

    The governor-elect also applauded the national chairman, Comrade Adam’s Oshiomhole, Lagos APC GAC leaders, and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who he noted, was in birthday celebration mood.

    He peeped into the future, praying that all the critical stakeholders will be present at his inauguration on May 29.

    However, in a voice somehow laced with emotion, Sanwo-Olu said the inauguration date will coincide with the post-humous birthday of his late mother, who had passed on few years ago.

    Reiterating his commitment to an all-inclusive administration, the governor-elect said his doors were already open to stakeholders, including the opposition, to make their contributions to governance.

    He promised to reenact the true greatness of Lagos which the stakeholders stand for.

    Sanwo-Olu added: “We will not betray public confidence. Better times are coming. Lagosians deserve the best. We must get it right in Lagos.

    “If we get it right in Lagos, we will get it right in Nigeria.

    “We are ready. We are committed.We will do the job that Lagosians have given to us”.

    Imam Gafar, who paired with a Christian priest to pray for Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, urged them to work for public good.

    The cleric, who also advised them to beware of pychopants who peddle falsehoods, wished the governor-elect a successful tenure.

    Also, he charged Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat to be prepared for the challenges of adjustment to new life and cooperate with their husbands.

    The REC reflected on the election, saying that it was adjdged credible, smooth, peaceful, free and fair by the international community.

    Hailing Sanwoolu for his victory, Olumekun said:”Lagosians have spoken Your Excellency and I dare say that they spoke loudly and without equivocation ocation.

    “Therefore, the journey to a better Lagos is laid squarely in your court. May God Almighty be your lode-star in this journey.”

    Nothing that Lagosians maintained their peace and decorum during the exercise, he urged them to sustain the tempo of tranquility.

    Olumekun thanked the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security chaired by Lagos Police Commissioner and the National Youth Service Corps for their collaboration.

    He thanked the Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria Atise Ekhator for ensuring the safety of the sensitive electoral materials, traditional rulers, media led by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) chairman Dr. Quasm Akinreti, civil society, youth and women groups for their cooperation.

    However, the REC lamented the apathy that marred the poll, pointing out that, in Eti-Osa Constituency 1, the turnout was below four percent.

    He said: “This is unacceptable in a sophisticated society like Lagos.”

    Olumekun, therefore, admonished the political parties, pressure groups, religious bodies and civil society groups to rise to the occasion in the areas of voter sensitisation, education and mobilisation of the electorate to complement Inec’s efforts in ensuring large turnout of voters during elections.

  • UNILAG’s 8.03Mw REA project grounded

    The 8.03 Mega Watt (MW) gas power plant project that Rural Electrification  Agency (REA) is implementing under its Energize Education Project (EEP) in University of Lagos Campus, Akoka, Lagos, has been stalled.

    The agency had secured the Federal Executive Council approval, and in December 2017 the council awarded the contract for the provision of gas powered solar lightening on the campus.

    But office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) had last week drafted a team, which included representation from the Federal Ministry of Power and The Nation, to investigate the level of the power project implementation.

    Addressing the team at the ivory tower, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, expressed disappointment at the space and level of the project implementation.

    The UNILAG boss, who pointed at the site from his office on the 11th floor of the Senate building, said that the “people implementing the project have a major problem.”

    Read also: N250m BoI grant for UNILAG entrepreneurship scheme

    He added that “I don’t think they have done up to 5 per cent of the work.”

    According to him, “they (the contractors) are just sand filling the site.” He acknowledged that there was about 60 per cent work done in term of the solar lighting.

    The team, however inspected the site at 11:30am on Monday , 25th March, 2019 without the presence of the contractor.

    The contractor (Sterling and Wilson) and the consultant that were scheduled to meet the team about 5:00pm in the same day never turned up.