The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagosians

  • Lagosians to enjoy more democracy dividends, says Adebule

    LAGOS residents will enjoy more democracy dividends this year,  Deputy Governor Oluranti Adebule said yesterday.

    The Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration, she said, planned to scale up infrastructure development across the state.

    The deputy governor spoke during the closing ceremony of the ‘One Lagos’ fiesta in Badagry. She said  the only way Lagosians could be compensated for their overwhelming support is by scaling up infrastructure development and ensuring that more democracy dividends are brought to the doorstep of a common man.

    Mrs Adebule said  the  government planned to award and complete more road projects for the people’s benefit.

    She said: “Let me reassure Lagosians that we have resolved to continue the on- going infrastructure development works in every part of the state to create a new Lagos that will be the pride of Africa.’’

    The  government, she said, was committed to unlocking other areas of investment opportunities especially in tourism, arts and culture, hospitality business and tourism.

    She urged youths to take advantage of opportunities created by the government to develop themselves and contribute to the economic growth of the state.

    “As an emerging third largest megacity and the fifth largest economy, the state  will continue to focus on policies and programmes that can help to tackle unemployment and promote the growth of young entrepreneurs as a way of curbing crimes and strengthening the revenue drive of the state,’’  she  said.

    The deputy governor, who hailed Lagosians for living in peace, noted that one of the strong holds of the success of the Ambode administration was the peace in the state.

    She urged the people to continue to live in harmony, noting that more development would be achieved when the atmosphere is friendly and peaceful.

    The fiesta, she said, was an  innovation by the present administration to promote arts and cultural as well as encourage youths to develop their talents in the creative and entertainment industry.

    This, she said, would develop them and make them compare with their counterpart in  other parts of the world.

  • Lagosians ain’t seen nothing yet’

    Lagosians ain’t seen nothing yet’

    Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Mr. Abiola Anifowoshe, in this interview with MUYIWA LUCAS, says things are getting better with urban planning under him. 

    It’s two years since you became commissioner for the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. Will you say the masterplan of the state has been fully implemented, especially in  Ikoyi and Lekki-Ajah?

    We have concluded the Masterplan of Lekki, Victoria Island. We have also done that of Lagos West; but we have not done that of Lagos East. We have done Alimosho and Badagry. We have done Mainland; at present we are doing Oshodi. Some will be finished before the end of this year; some will be finished in the first quarter of next year. It remains only that of Kosofe to be implemented. We are working to ensure that we have a comprehensive master plan of all the segments of Lagos to be concluded 2018. By 2019, we will  collate them and have a comprehensive master plan for Lagos  which will last 25 years. If we had that master plan, every inch of land in the state would have been planned.

    There is a lot of coastal development going on. Are you not worried about them considering the processes involved like dredging and sand filling?

    If you are worried about dredging, then there may not be any development, especially in a state like ours. Dredging allows for more depth and allows for an heavy vessels to ply your waters. The entire Netherlands is on water, so if there is proper sandfilling, there won’t be any problem. Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria in terms of land size and yet is the biggest in terms of population. For this enormous population, we must cater for them.

    So, how does this development fit into the Lagos Masterplan?

    We never had a coastal development that is not recognised by the government. If you look at the master plan of Lagos State, especially the Ikoyi-Victoria Island, all those islands have been identified and incorporated with the Masterplan; we will not just do anything to jeopardise the lives of the citizens of Lagos.

    How are you integrating new town development into the settlements?

    Well existing settlement to start with, it is unfortunate that planning is chasing development; in a civilised society, the reverse is the case. It is supposed to be planning first before development. But be that as it may, there is something we call development guide. Rather than total removal of existing structure with people, before you do a development guide, you factor the existing structure in. First, you need to do development guide for the old town so that you will not ask those people who are in old town to move to the new town because every amenity we have in the new town is also provided for in the old town; so you balance the two together.

    You are tightening the noose on new structures to prevent collapse. What are you doing about old structures?

    If you recall early this year, I did two announcements in national dailies advising property owners to do something about their properties, and that this must be done in laison with the ministry so that the two of us could be on the same page. Some refused to comply, some did. What we did was that we complied their list sent to his excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; we have removed over 100 endangered houses in the state. When we remove a dangerous structure the cost of removal will be borne by the owner and if he fails to pay, the property is forfeited to the government.

    How much has it cost the government to pay compensation to property owners who’s structures gave way for right of ways (RoW)?

    The cost of compensation is ongoing. Whether you have papers or not; whether you have approval or not, you are paid compensation. It is in billions of naira, so far.

    Is there an understanding between the state and Federal Government to refund the expenses incurred on building roads belonging to the Federal Government?

    The one that was done by his predecessors up till now has not been paid. Whatever the governor does is for the citizens because he loves them. This is our state we are developing our state- whether the road belong to the Federal Government or state.

    How realistic is the 28-day approval your ministry claims?

    The most difficult thing in life is change. Our people are used to old ways of doing things. When I said approval in 28 days, I meant it. But that 28 days is excluding submission of documentation. Until you submit your documents and a file is opened for you. with a number allocated, that is when you start counting your 28 days. There is a law here that no file must spend 24 hours on your table. So, the 28 days is real. This is just the beginning as time goes on, it is still going to reduce. What stops you from doing approval in 20 days?

    Is Lagos ready for full vertical development?

    Of course. You see urbanisation,  whether they like it or not, we have to change. Twenty years ago, the population of Lagos State was not as much as this. We are not where we were 20 years ago. At present, we have 23 million people in the state, and every hour 87 people keep coming to Lagos. The reason we are ready for this is that, in the past our master plan lasted 25 years and due for review every three to five years.

    So, what should the citizens expect in the next two years?

    For now, all I want to tell them is that,they ain’t seen nothing yet. All I am only asking for is to keep supporting the government.

    What will you say is the landmark achievement in your tenure, so far?

    Well, I think the e-planning that has been on drawing board for years which we have implemented and has kicked off is a major feat. The master plan of Lagos State was still on the board when we came has also gained steam.

  • Lagosians urged to be safety cautious

    Lagos State Commissioner for Special duties and Inter-governmental Relations, Mr Oluseye Oladejo, has urged Lagosians to be safety cautious in the Christmas and New Year festive seasons.

    This, he said, would prevent fire outbreak, accidents as well as loss of lives and properties.

    He spoke yesterday at the ‘Ember months safety sensitisation and advocacy’, organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission, held in Ketu, Lagos.

    Oladejo urged Lagosians to stay safe and obey all safety rules in the middle of activities and events that comes with the festive period.

    According to him, “We must take minimum risk as regards our general safety. The festive season opens us to lots of danger and it is the peak of dry season, but we must stay safe and prevent danger.”

    He said the programme was to raise awareness on the policies and actions Lagosians should take to reduce exposure to risk at the community level, thereby contributing to saving lives, homes and livelihood.

    “There is the need for effective disaster reduction and emergency risk management strategies in order to prevent unnecessary loss of lives. Adequate and emergency response is the responsibility of both government and the society at large.”

    He assured that the state government would continue to raise awareness about the risks faced on a daily basis and promote prompt safety management and implementation strategy.

    The Director-General/ Chief Executive Officer (CE0) Lagos State Safety Commission, Hakeem Dickson, noted that the festive is a time of more accidents, fire outbreak and fatalities, saying that the event is geared towards reducing all of these.

     

     

  • Lagosians urged to embrace free legal service

    Lagosians have been urged to take advantage of the state’s free legal services to resolve disputes.

    Ministry of Justice Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary Mrs Funlola Odunlami, said the services aimed to meet the legal needs of all residents in the state.

    She spoke at Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, during a free legal clinic for the state’s public service, organised by departments in the ministry.

    According to her, the gesture was to attend to the legal needs of the public.

    “The ministry of justice has different departments that offer free legal services to the public for free. We have qualified lawyers to attend to all, our services are free and we encourage all to make use of the services,” she said.

    Public Advice Centre (PAC) Director Mrs Tola Akinsanya, said all legal issues would be addressed at the legal clinic for free.

    According to her, PAC provides easy access to information and advice on wide range of issues, including, violation of human rights, environmental and relationship issues, work benefits, employer and social welfare issues, domestic violence, debt and monetary claims, among others.

    “PAC serves as first port of call for citizens in distress and those seeking information and advice on their rights and responsibilities,” she said.

    Director, Community Service Unit in the ministry Mrs Shakirat Kotun, said the free legal service would help decongest the prisons.

     

  • ‘Ambode working to give Lagosians water’

    ‘Ambode working to give Lagosians water’

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is working to give Lagosians potable water by supporting water projects, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Mr. Muminu Badmus, has said.

    Badmus, an engineer, who spoke yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting on network extension of water distribution to Ogudu Ori-Oke in Kosofe Local Government, said residents of the community would have access to potable water on completion of the project.

    He said: “I thank our amiable and hardworking Governor Ambode for assisting Lagos Water Corporation to provide drinkable water for Lagosians. He has fulfilled the promise he made to Ogudu Ori-Oke residents a few months ago through the commencement of this project.

    “Today we are holding a truly significant forum, because water is life and nobody survives without it. This is why Lagos State government places high premium on the interest of the people and believes that water is key for the survival of residents. Every household must have access to potable water. This is why the government is committed to ensuring that this community is provided with uninterrupted water supply through this network extension that will be supplied from Adiyan Waterworks of 70MGD. The reticulation will cover Ogudu Ori-Oke, boost pressure to parts of Alapere and other neighbouring communities and will later be expanded to accommodate more households.

    “The project is part of government’s efforts to strengthen water supply network, increase operational efficiency and water flow capacity to meet the demand for water and contribute to development. It is a demonstration of government’s appreciation of the cooperation and support residents of this community have given to the Governor Ambode administration. It is our hope that you will continue to cooperate with the government in its desire to transform Lagos.

    “This project is being undertaken by Salini Nigeria Ltd. The contractor is undertaking 70MGD Adiyan Phase II. It has been our good partner by executing our projects in consonance with the specifications and standards. When the reticulation is completed, the connected properties will be metered to assist us in ensuring efficiency and reliability of our water networks and reducing wastages.”

    The Managing Director of Salini Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Paolo Capelala, said: “We will support Lagos State Water Corporation to provide potable water for Lagosians.”

  • Stakeholders’ meeting: Lagosians demand more development

    Lagosians across the state constituencies in the state have asked for more infrastructural development from their representatives at the  House of Assembly.

    They made the call at the 3rd edition of the Town Hall/Constituency Stakeholders meeting organised by the Assembly the 40 constituencies on Friday.

    The theme of the meeting was. ‘True representation and accountability.

    The stakeholders demands  cut across: rehabilitation/reconsttuction of roads especially link roads, construction and clearing of drainages and canals, relaxation parks, motor parks for those who don’t have yet, problem of flooding, overhead and pedestrian bridges, markets, rehabilitation of schools, mini stadium for areas like Ikorodu and Ipaja, and a host of other demands.

    In attendace  were traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians, market men and women, youth groups, CDAs and CDCs, security chiefs, artisans, members of road transport unions, Arewa and Igbo community leaders and others.

    Speaking during the meeting held at the 700-seater auditorium of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Majority Leader  S.O.B Agunbiade thanked Governor. Akinwunmi Ambode and the police authorities for moving swiftly to put an end to the security threat created by the dreadful Badoo killer gangs in the area.

    He recalled how he mobilised traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to take some take some decisive measures that eventually brought an end to Badoo killings in the area. “We were troubled by Badoo, but we all played a prominent role behind the screen and Badoo killing has stopped forever. I also took it upon myself to stop militancy in our community,” Agunbiaade said.

    Speaking at the Maddox Hall venue of the Alimosho constituency 1 stakeholders meeting, their representative at the Assembly, Hon. Bisi Yusuff said the theme was in consonance with the deep commitment of the leadership of the State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa in ensuring that  the people have meaningful representation through good laws that guarantee infrastructural development and that their representatives tender account of their stewardship to their constituents.

    Hailing the town hall meeting initiative of the Assembly, Yusuff who was commended by the stakeholders for effective representation said, “it is the product of the infrastructural development we are seeing all around us in Alimosho and the state as a whole, adding that “what is happening in Alimosho today has never happened before and we have never seen an Assembly like the 8th Assembly”, he said.

    Also speaking at Mende town hall in Mende, Maryland, Hon. Adebayo Osinowo, who is the representative of Kosofe constituency 2, said the House has treated 43 bills so far out of which 16 have been passed into laws while the remaining are at different stages of passage into laws.

     

  • Lagosians to police: inspect vehicles carrying loads at odd hours

    Lagosians to police: inspect vehicles carrying loads at odd hours

    THE Nigeria Police Force has been advised to put up measures to be monitoring and inspecting vehicles carrying loads late in the night and early in the morning.

    Some of the vehicles, observers said always drive in a way that suggests that they may be concealing prohibited items in the goods they pretend to be carrying.

    “Some of the vehicles move in a convoy and in a very menacing manner.  There are some that look like the rickety vehicles used by smugglers. They always fill their booths with only God knows goods covered with black nylon bags. When you see the way they speed recklessly, you would not need a soothsayer to tell you that they are into shady deals.

    “They move at odd hours because they know the road would be free for them to move unhindered and that security operatives would not be on the road to disturb them. I get worried each time I see these vehicles because they may be agents of circulating guns, fake drugs and other illegal items being imported into the country by criminal-minded people,” a resident who gave his name as Samuel said.

    A night guard in a commercial bank at Oshodi, said the vehicles often move between 11pm and 5am.

    “I have always wondered what those vehicles are carrying and if the loads were inspected before they were put on the vehicles. All of them would claim that they are always moving around that time to beat traffic but what exactly are they carrying? Some of these vehicles may be used for concealing weapons and other prohibited goods.

    “The police should make it compulsory that every person or company carrying goods must have them inspected and given a permit to move. Our security operatives should step up their games because this could be a new way of expanding criminal activities.”

  • Report will be fair to Lagosians, says Assembly

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has assured residents that it will protect their interests in the review of the auditor-general’s report on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Addressing reporters yesterday after the opening of the review for last year, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts (State) Moshood Oshun said the committee’s report would be fair.

    The review is being held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium of the House of Assembly.

    Oshun said the Assembly, under Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, would not cut corners or hide behind one finger.

    He said: “We would protect the interest of the people of Lagos State and ensure that tax payers’ money is judiciously spent.

    “The Assembly will give the people the best and we will make sure that Lagos State continues to be the best.

    “All hands must be on deck for the state to continue to excel. So, it is not something that can be done alone. We must work together.”

    According to him, the House Committee on PAC (State) goes through the books of the MDAs every year, based on the auditor-general’s report on MDAs.

    Oshun said the books containing income/expenditure and other variables would be properly scrutinised.

    On what the committee observed, the lawmaker said it was too early to make assessment, adding that the MDAs did well, on the average.

    Oshun said there was no perfection in anything but that everybody was trying to attain perfection.

    He said: “You know Lagos is above other states. We expect a certain level of perfection in the state. We have asked the MDAs some information and they have been answering us.

    “The auditor-general has done her job with her team, but we need to verify the report. There is something called fair hearing, we don’t want to be prejudiced, we want to hear from everybody.

    “We will ask them questions where we need clarifications and we will applaud them where they have done well.

    “However, I can say they have done well, generally. The auditors have done a good job and they have made sure that everything we need in that report is included in it.

    “I want to commend the auditor-general and her team for doing a good job. They have shown that Lagos State is better than others. We are still going to work on the reports and make them available to the Assembly.”

    The committee chairman said the technicalities in the reports was being handled effectively, adding that the committee has the support of the Assembly, which employed consultants from different fields to assist them.

    The reports, he said, were for January to December last year while the review was done once in a year.

    According to him, the MDAs had full budgets while the committee wanted to make sure that the budgets were followed to the letter and make sure that those things that should be done were done in accordance with financial rules.

    Considering the reports of the state Number Plates Production Authority and the Deputy Governor’s office earlier, the committee directed the officials to go back to perfect their papers, which he said did not tally with the Auditors’ reports.

     

  • 9ice and Small Doctor to fete Lagosians at Nigeria’s Independence

    9ice and Small Doctor to fete Lagosians at Nigeria’s Independence

    Music stars 9ice and Small Doctor are set to thrill Lagosians in a concert scheduled to hold on October 1, 2017 coinciding with Nigeria’s 57th Independence Day anniversary.

    The concert which holds at the Adura Football Field, Alakuko, Lagos, is part of the Real Deal Experience is brought by Legend Extra Stout.

    Speaking on his anticipation for the show, 9ice said: “I’ve performed at other Real Deal Experience concerts and I must say the energy is always superb. But trust me, nothing beats a Lagos concert. The fun, the excitement, the people and all are second to none. I really can’t wait.”

    Small Doctor who has hits like ‘Penalty’ and ‘Mosquito Killer’ also remarked: “I love performing in Lagos as it is the city that brought me all of my success. You can be sure I’ll be bringing on my ‘A’ game. This edition of the Real Deal Experience is also special because of Nigeria’s independence and I really can’t wait to celebrate it with my Lagos fans.”

    The tour takes Nigeria’s biggest music stars across various cities around the country to entertain local fans. Attendees stand a chance to win gifts such as flat screen TVs, generators and refrigerators etc. In addition, fans and consumers of Legend Extra Stout also stand a chance of winning N50, 000 cash prizes in an online talent competition hosted on the brand’s social media pages.

    Speaking on the event, Portfolio Manager – Mainstream, Lager and Stout brands, Nigerian Breweries, Emmanuel Agu, said: “Picture this: the Real Deal Experience concert will hold on Nigeria’s Independence Day right at the Centre of Excellence where coincidentally, Nigeria got its independence in 1960. It will definitely be a night of celebration and we’re very proud to be the brand making it happen!”

    The Real Deal Experience has held in other cities such as Nnewi, Enugu, Uyo, Aba and Abuja. It is scheduled to hit other cities soon.

  • LAGESC rolls out agenda, urges Lagosians to pay utility levies

    The newly formed Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), formerly the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), has said its priority is to ensure that environmental infractions become a thing of the past.

    Its Executive Secretary, Mrs Idowu Mohammed, made this known in an interview.

    She said LAGESC would make sure that the environment is kept clean and in line with the mandate of Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

    Mohammed said the corps would  be used to police the highways to ensure that people do not dump refuse indiscriminately on the roads, and to prevent traders  from displaying their wares on the road.

    “The sanitation corps will clear the pathways and bridges and dislodge people selling on the road. They will make sure that the roads are clean and that there is no infraction. They will make sure that the Public Utility Levy (PUL) is paid by residents of Lagos State,” she explained.

    She assured residents that the new corps would carry out its responsibilities in line with international best practices, noting that gone were the days when KAI officials conducted their affairs with uncivily.

    “We are out to serve the residents with all civility and decorum. The government’s aim is to provide and promote a cleaner and healthy environment, devoid of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and drainage blockade,” she said.

    Mohammed said that the government would deploy motorised trucks to sweep highways, a reversal from the previous era where sweeping of roads is done by human beings and thereby exposing them to the danger of being knocked down by vehicles.

    The LAGESC chief said over 27,000 of the 30,000 sweepers that would be recruited would be made to sweep streets in their communities and be paid salaries above the N18,000 minimum wage.

    “Under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, 30,000 jobs will be created for sweepers. We have an agreement backed up by the government. In the old waste management system, wastes were collected, but the disposal mechanism was the problem,” she said.

    The Managing Director, Solid Waste Management (SWM) Solutions, the consultant to the government, Mrs. Tolagbe Martins, assuring the public of better days ahead in waste management, said the CLI is incomplete without effective enforcement and total compliance, adding that this is where LAGESC will play dominant roles.

    “The aim of CLI is to create an enabling environment for investment. The passage of the law enabling private sector participation in waste management has made it a reality,” she said.

    Martins explained that the “PUL is a property-based charge applicable to all properties within the state. It has replaced all previous waste management levies.”

    She added that under the new dispensation, the Public Utilities Monitoring and Assurance Unit (PUMAU) has been created to coordinate PUL bill generation.

    Martins also disclosed that the  government had concessioned three Landfills under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) for 25 years, adding that this would take effect from next year.

    But pending the readiness of the three landfills, the government, Martins explained, would make do with what is available now, noting that the Olusosun dumpsite would be closed immediately the landfills were ready.