The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LASG

  • LASG impounds 28 vehicles for obstructing traffic

    LASG impounds 28 vehicles for obstructing traffic

    No fewer than 28 vehicles have been impounded by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation for obstructing traffic in the state.

    Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the ministry, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola.

    Osiyemi said that the exercise was done in collaboration with the state’s task force for regular traffic law enforcement.

    Read Also: JUST IN: LASG commences Phase II ‘Ounje Eko’ on Sept. 1 for eight weeks

    He added that the exercise was aimed to ensure smooth vehicular movement and ensure public order.

    “The 28 vehicles were impounded at the Berger Bus Stop along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (outbound Lagos) for illegally converting designated layby into a makeshift garage,” he said.

    He added that the ministry’s commitment to upholding traffic regulations, adding that the enforcement would continue to ensure that Lagos roads would be orderly and free from congestion.

  • LASG postpones enforcement of E-call up on Lekki-Epe corridor

    LASG postpones enforcement of E-call up on Lekki-Epe corridor

    The Lagos State Government yesterday announced the postponement of the electronic call-up system for all trucks and articulated vehicles and trailers on the Lekki-Epe corridor.

    At a meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday, the government, through the Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi had announced Thursday, August 1, 2024, as the take-off date for the deployment.

    But in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Transportation yesterday, the government announced an extension of the deadline.

    Though Osiyemi did not disclose the new date for the commencement of enforcement, he stated that the decision was reached after careful consideration of requests from stakeholders for an extension of the timeline to make room for adequate compliance.

    Read Also: LAWMA demolishes shanties, clears street traders along Lekki-Epe Expressway

    He said: “After further consideration of stakeholders’ request for an extension of the timeline to give adequate room for full compliance, the Lagos State Government has postponed the commencement of the E-Call Up system on the Lekki-Epe corridor.”

    Osiyemi urged all stakeholders to seize the opportunity of the postponement to ramp up full preparation in readiness for the successful take-off of the technology-driven solution of truck movement on the Lekki-Epe corridor.

  • LASG to restructure unregulated public transport

    LASG to restructure unregulated public transport

    • Plans pilot phase on Lekki/Epe corridor

    In line with the Strategic Transportation Master Plan for Lagos State, the State Government has called for the collaboration of Public Transport Bus Operators, as it releases the restructuring plans to improve the commuting experience.

    Speaking at a meeting with bus operators and Union leaders in the State, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa described the current state of bus operations on the corridor as chaotic, hence the need for collaboration to successfully regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the State’s Bus Reform Initiative using Lekki/Epe corridor as a pilot test.

    He further explained that the Lekki Epe Corridor had been inspected by the Ministry of Transportation and Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority to identify limitations of seamless traffic flow along the Expressway and adjourning roads and had mapped out a systematic framework to address these challenges.

    Some of the planned solutions according to the Transportation Special Adviser include; the restructuring of the existing unregulated Public Transport Bus Operations on the Lekki Epe Corridor, deployment of High Capacity Buses on the corridor as stated in the Lagos Transport Policy and the Bus Route Network, re-allocation and relocation of Korope/Mini buses to inner route, re-registration and recertification of all buses.

    Read Also: Any hope for cryptocurrency market in Nigeria?

    Others added are; the Introduction of an E-ticketing System, Provision of transport infrastructure (Layby, terminal, etc.), Regulation and Standardization of Bus operations, improved Transportation Services i.e. Safety and Passenger Comfort and promote the security of lives and properties along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

    Giwa further stated that the restructuring plan would be implemented in phases, urging transport operators who intend to key into the restructuring programme to come to the Ministry of Transportation to register within the next two weeks. He added that the registered operators would be allotted routes by the Ministry to ensure strict compliance to the strategy.

    The Special Adviser also warned that any operator who contravenes the regulations that will be implemented will be fined and will forfeit their vehicles in the event that they ignore the notice of their fines.

     He declared that the State Government will not accommodate willful disregard of its existing Transport Sector Reform Law.

    Addressing the concerns raised by members of the Unions, The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa explained that the State Government is counting on them to fish out unregistered operators along the Lekki-Epe Corridor, affirming that Lekki –Epe Expressway would be a pilot test for the Standardization of the transportation system in Lagos.

    Earlier in the meeting the Head of Bus Services LAMATA, Dr. Amure stated that the rapid development of the Lekki/Epe axis was one of the reasons why the State Government chose the corridor to continue its Bus Reform Initiative, which started with the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit in different parts of the State.

    The Special Adviser, Hon Sola Giwa, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olawale Musa, Acting Chairman National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Mustapha aka Sego and Deputy Chairman Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria RTEAN, Alhaji Taofeek Omotayo Ajayi signed a communique at the end of the meeting to affirm their support of the restructuring initiative.

  • LASG releases seized The Nation Newspapers vehicles

    LASG releases seized The Nation Newspapers vehicles

    • Gov directs waiver of fines slammed on them

    The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered immediate release of two vehicles seized by men of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation Enforcement gang on Thursday.

    Men of the MOT Taskforce had stormed the Matori, Mushin Head office of The Nation Newspaper, molested the drivers caught in their vehicles as they waited on the security for clearance to load newsprints to Abuja, and newspapers for other parts of the country.

    The drivers, who offered no resistance, were severely battered, and tear-gassed to the point that one of them collapsed and was revived by the security team of the newspaper.

    The Vintage Press Chief Security Officer, Mr Abidemi Daodu, who witnessed the attack, said they initially thought the men were armed robbers, wondering how enforcement would be done in the dead of the night and innocent people would just be battered for no reason.

    He said the men, who numbered about 12, came in a Volkswagen bus and two mini buses called Korope, beat up the drivers and later drove the vehicles off to Alausa.

    When the drivers went to Alausa on Thursday to retrieve their vehicles, they were slammed with N150,000 and N90,000 respectively for the truck and the circulation vehicle.

    Read Also: Again, Soludo’s ACTDA officials seize Nation, Sun, Vanguard, Thisday newspapers

    The officers, who claimed they were on official duty, later slashed the fines to N50,000 for each vehicle, in sisting that the fines must be paid before the vehicles would be released.

    But Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a directive handed down through the Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, ordered the waiver of the fines and immediate release of the vehicles.

    A Deputy Director of the Ministry of Transportation, who preferred not to be mentioned, had called the office to relay the “good news” of the release yesterday.

    “I have been directed to inform you that the Chief of Staff has directed that the vehicles be released immediately free of charge. Kindly ask your drivers to come to our office to pick up their vehicles,” the official said.

    Daodu, who followed the drivers to Alausa, reported that though all the tyres of both vehicles had been deflated, the officials were very cooperative as all permits were speedily processed for the vehicles’ release.

    Recalling his ordeal at the hands of the Taskforce, one of the drivers, Idris Lawal, described the MOT officials’ action as barbaric.

    “I was waiting for the security to open the gate around 2am when about 10 armed men pounced on me.

    “It was like a robbery scene where they forcefully snatched the vehicle’s key and tear-gassed me and the other driver.

    “They beat me with weapons,” he said.

    The other driver, Abubakar Adebayo, said he was yet to recover from the shock.”I was about to drive in to load newsprints meant for Abuja Press when these people descended on me and gave me the beating of my life.

    “As we were telling them that we are officials of The Nation Newspaper, they kept beating us and tear gassing our eyes directly as if to get us blind.

    “At a point, I lost consciousness. I was later revived,” he said.

    The Editor of The Nation Newspaper, Adeniyi Adesina, said the action of the government officials disrupted the business of the newspaper as the company was not able to circulate the newspaper to some parts of the Southwest, Abuja and the South South and Port Harcourt.

     “Besides the revenue loss in terms of copy sales, the newspaper lost massively a huge advertisement revenue as advertisers who had paid for spaces in the newspaper could not see their advertisements.

    Adesina wondered what kind of enforcement the officials were carrying out at 2am, and would resort to assaulting and beating up people who offered no resistance and fleeting tear gas directly into their eyes all in the name of working for the government.

    “What enforcement do they need to carry out at midnight when the vehicles concerned are not abandoned?

    “It is only abandoned vehicles that the law mandated them to tow off to their office, not operational vehicles whose drivers were met inside their vehicles,” he said.

  • LASG charges officers on increased responsibilities after promotion

    LASG charges officers on increased responsibilities after promotion

    The Lagos State Government has urged Eligible Officers in the ongoing Year 2024 Promotion Exercise to be prepared for more responsibilities with their anticipated promotion. 

    The chairman, Civil Service Commission Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo gave the advice on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the physical sessions of the 2024 promotion exercise, revised structured training programme organised by the Civil Service Commission.

    Underscoring the importance of understanding that promotions to higher Grade Levels also comes with proportionate increase in responsibilities, the Chairman urged the officers not to only aspire for career progression but to take cognisance of the added duties and obligations that accompany such advancement.

    She encouraged participants to utilise the training sessions as opportunities to hone their skills and acquire the necessary knowledge to excel in their prospective roles after promotion.

    Read Also: LASG commences full enforcement on Styrofoam ban

    The chairman reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission in fostering a conducive environment for career development and advancement within the State Civil Service and assured the officers of the Commission’s support in their journey towards a higher level of competence and effectiveness. 

    Speaking on the theme of the exercise, which is “Promoting excellence and professionalism,” Fabamwo charged the officers to imbibe professionalism in their respective duty posts, stressing that the excellence of Lagos must reflect in all they do.

    She further averred that “The THEMESPlus Agenda of the current administration in Lagos State has become a reality adding that Civil Servants being the vehicle needed to actualize the vision must display high level of professionalism and excellence. 

    Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mr. Akinbode Obadina, said that the annual promotion exercise shows that the State Government cares about the welfare and career progression of its workforce that have diligently contributed their quota in their respective MDAs.

    He enumerated some of the required criteria which are mandatory for officers to earn promotion to include: a satisfactory assessment of Staff Performance and Development Evaluation (SPADEV) and active participation in the two components of the Revised Structured Training Programme (RSTP), which are the cross-cutting knowledge training sessions and the job-specific Training Sessions among others.

    One of the participants at the RSTP, Itunu-Oluwa Juliana, a Senior Fire Officer with Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, described the RSTP as an eye opener on what the expectations of their next level will be. 

    She said: “We have learnt what is expected of us in our present grade level and what is expected of us in our next grade level, the facilitators have been amazing for making the sessions interactive and engaging.” 

  • LASG restates zero tolerance against environmental degradation

    LASG restates zero tolerance against environmental degradation

    The Lagos State Government yesterday hinted that it will go hard against illegal dredgers and miners in the state by March, this year.

    The government gave the hint yesterday, at the stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Office of Mineral Resources in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), with all operators in the mining sub-sector which was held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.

    Speaking on the theme: ‘revamping the mineral resources sector about the megacity status of Lagos’ the MEMR Commissioner Mr Biodun Ogunleye, said the stakeholders’ forum became necessary to fully acquaint all operators of steps being taken the state government through the ministry, to protect the environment and preserve same for the coming generations.

    Apart from issuing new guidelines for dredging and mining operations, Ogunleye also launched the new tarpaulin cover proposed by the government for use by operators in covering their trucks to prevent the spilling of sand on the road. Also launched is the orange polo shirt to be worn by revenue collectors of the Ministry to give a new identity to its revenue officers.

    According to Ogunleye, the state government has mandated the Office of Mineral Resources under the Ministry, which supervises mining activities in the state to enforce all relevant laws about mining and dredging operations in the state.

    Ogunleye, who observed that environmental degradation is not in the best interest of the state or the operators, urged the stakeholders to embrace technological innovations to boost their operations and to collaborate with the regulators to ensure that they bequeath a sustainable city to the coming generation.

    He said the Sanwo-Olu administration frowns at activities of the operators which negatively impact the environment and constitute a drawback to the state. He said the government will come very hard against any operator whose activities continue to impact the host community or the state negatively.

    Regarding the minerals as part of the state’s resources, Ogunleye said the government will not fold its hands and watch as some people deplete it unconscionably and in a deplorable manner.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Mineral Resources, Engr Abiola Okanlawon Olowu, said though dredging activities are on the exclusive list, the government through the Ministry has the mandate to protect Lagosians and all taxpayers from the activities of dredgers and miners who are daily depleting the state’s flora and fauna.

    He said the Ministry and that of Waterfront Infrastructure Development will continue to collaborate in protecting the state’s mineral resources, especially in the area of sand mining and ensure that operators play by the rules and regulations laid out by the state.

    The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Engr Solabomi Mosunmola Sasore said the government is in the process of updating its data of miners and dredgers operating in the state, and urged all operators who are yet to register with the state to come on board as they stand to benefit hugely from being recognised as dredgers and miners in the state.

    Sasore said the government is interested in working to make things easy for operators and the people should cooperate with it in ensuring that they do not infringe on the rights of others or engage in acts capable of inflicting pain on residents of host communities.

    Unveiling the new guidelines, the Head Solid Minerals Department, Mr. Soriola Emilio Cardozo, said it has become imperative for any operator in the state to abide by the 14 guidelines carefully put together to ensure the smooth operations of all dredgers and miners.

    Read Also: FG summons Dangote Plc, BUA Plc, Larfarge, others over escalating cement prices

    These include that any registered mining/dredging company must present relevant evidence of registration with the respective Federal Ministry, Department and Agency and NIWA; zero tolerance on land encroachment while the permissible depth of plastering must not go beyond three metres and immediate restoration of the site must be carried out after decommissioning. The permissible distance between mining sites hauling the same earth materials must not be less than 10kms, while mining of lateritic soil must be 1m above the adjoining state/local government road, and all mining machinery must be in good condition, while personnel must comply with all Lagos State Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) standards.

    Others, he said are the installation of first aid box at all dredging and mining sites, non-transferability of mining documents except where there is approval to that effect, and the imposition of penalties on dredging/mining company that sells wet sand to trucks and load above-required capacity and inappropriate channelization of water back to the lagoon. Trucks patronizing their sites must adequately cover their sand with tarpaulin and must be well tucked in before leaving the site. Dredging/mining companies must establish and sustain corporate social responsibility (CSR) with host communities to engender peace and development with proof of these activities submitted yearly to the OMR office.

    Yet other guidelines are the imposition of penalties on any dredging/mining company that does not maintain the access road to their stockpiling site, sanctioning of any operators who fail to comply with the state’s zero tolerance on traffic violation during operations; installation of safety signposts at the various sites for ease of accessibility during unsafe incidents onsite by dredging and mining companies, ensuring that their operations do not in any way lead to obstruction of drainage leading to their sites and finally, ensuring zero spillage of used oil during maintenance of all their machineries and vehicles. All used oil must be properly contained in order not to contaminate the state’s subsurface water.

    He said all traditional rulers, titled chiefs and other community leaders have been enlisted to assist the government to ensure that dredgers/miners operate within the rules adding that these leaders can report the activities of any one found culpable to the OMR for appropriate sanctions.

    He warned community leaders and chiefs against colluding with these operators to destroy their ancestry lands adding that anyone caught would be prosecuted.

  • LASG pledges to develop varsity

    LASG pledges to develop varsity

    Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, has said the state government would ensure all round development of the fledgling Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Otto-Ijanikin.

    He assured authorities at the institution that adequate funds would be made available at all times to boost infrastructure, enhance staff welfare and ensure seamless operations.

    “The state government will continue to promote seamless learning in LASUED, more facilities are coming, we will ensure more innovative courses are introduced and pension of staff will be paid promptly,” he said.

    The commissioner spoke at LASUED’s matriculation ceremony on the main  campus in Ijanikin.

    He noted  that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was poised to promote education and technology as part of his agenda, adding that a 750- seater hall has been planned  for the schoo’s  Epe Campus .

    Sule described the institution as being crucial to the development o f the state, while charging the staff to continue to work harder.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Tinubu congratulates Eagles for picking AFCON final ticket

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, said following an increase in admission quota by the National Universities Commission (NUC),  no fewer than 3,831  students were admitted from over 8000 applicants.

    Lafiaji-Okuneye,who  noted that it was difficult getting admission in universities, said the  NUC increased the university’s quota from 3000 to 4500 to allow more students get admitted.

    She urged the students to be focused on their studies and eschew anti social behaviour, adding that they  should report suspicious activities to the necessary people.

    The VC announced the “Friends of LASUED Fund” as part of efforts to raise funds for the development of the university.

    She said: “As part of efforts to raise funds for development,the university management has concluded an arrangement to establish the “Friends of LASUED Fund”(FLF) where every individual is requested to donate a minimum of N1,000 only to the university each year.  We are hoping to grow the fund to a sizeable amount that would be efficient bro develop a massive project. The fund will be fully audited yearly by the university’s  external auditor appointed by the Governing Council.”

  • Epe farmers seek LASG intervention over land crisis

    Epe farmers seek LASG intervention over land crisis

    The Afero/Itoikin Epe Commercial Farmers Cooperative has urged the Lagos state government (LASG) to intervene in an alleged land invasion by security operatives and its attendant harassment.

    This, they said, was to engender continued farming activities and promote food security in the state.

    The chairman of the cooperative, Wale Oyekoya made the call at a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, January 10.

    The protesters hoisted several placards with various inscriptions such as: “No To Military Invasion, Farmers Are Human, No Farmers No Nation”, among others, Sanwo-Olu Compensate us, were some of the inscriptions on display during the protest.

    Oyekoya said the farmers suffered a series of human rights abuses from security operatives who invaded their farmlands in Itoikin, Epe area of Lagos State.

    According to him, over 300 hectares of land were invaded thereby causing huge losses and rendering the farmers jobless.

    “This development has greatly and negatively impacted our only source of livelihood which was farming hence disrupting the agricultural sector of the economy.

    He recalled that in 2014, the Lagos state government sent a letter to Bama Farms Ltd. about plans to relocate the farm to pave the way for Lekki International Airport.

    Oyekoya stated that he and other farmers joined hands to engage the late Rotimi Williams, SAN, and were eventually compensated and relocated to Eluju Mowo/Mutaku area, Ibeju, Epe in 2015 by Lagos State former Gov. Raji Fashola.

    He, however, noted that they started having problems from the landowners popularly known as ‘Omoonile’ and the hooligans immediately they took over the farms.

    “Thugs will come and disturb our farms destroying our crops and stealing our livestock and as time went by, they brought thugs and estate developers to destabilise us.

    “The estate developers started building on our farmlands and we reported all this to the government through the governor, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Survey, Commerce and Justice with no response or action from them.

    “The Omonile grew wings by harassing and threatening us with hired security operatives with frivolous charges and lawsuits on a land that was allocated to us by the Lagos state government.

    “The truth is, we have been through hell and hardship and LASG turned a deaf ear to our problems,” he said.

    Oyekoya said the cooperative efforts through the Ministry of Agriculture through the Agric Land Holding Authority which cost them almost one million Naira yielded no effect.

    This development, according to him, was reported to the Governor of Lagos’s office, the Attorney General’s office, the Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and nothing was done.

    This, he said, gave the “omoonile” and estate developers more power to harass, threaten and disturb their farm businesses.

    “Series of attacks was done on our farm activities unabated without the government intervention to help us on the land that was allocated to us.

    “We do not want to believe there is some collaborations between the government agencies, ministries, the `omoonile’ and the estate developers against the farmers.

    “Recently, precisely five weeks ago, December 2023 the military came with full force beating people up and sending people away from their properties as farmers were not exempted.

    “Bama Farms with about 100 hectares of land is the hardest hit as his farms was taken over by the military, the fences broken, crops and properties bulldozed and all it’s farm workers have disappeared out of fear and intimidation thereby affecting other farming activities.

    Read Also: LASG to Lekki residents: open up all street gates from 6am-11pm

    “The question now is, why did Lagos state allocate us to the military land? Why did they refuse to attend to our cry for help?

    “Why did they refuse to issue us a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on the land allocated to us? Why did they refuse to engage the farmers when the military invaded our farms over a month ago?,”

    Oyekoya appealed to the Lagos state government to provide adequate compensation, immediate relocation with C of O and sort out payment on the lands.

    Addressing the protesters, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adedamola Kasumu who spoke on behalf of the Speaker assured that the matter was attended to urgently.

    While reiterating the commitment of the Speaker to the welfare of the people of the state, Kasumu thanked the protesters for being peaceful.

  • LASG to Lekki residents: open up all street gates from 6am-11pm

    LASG to Lekki residents: open up all street gates from 6am-11pm

    The Lagos state government (LASG) has urged residents in Lekki Phase I, Phase II and its environs to open all street gates in the area from the hours of 6.00am to 11.00pm daily during this yuletide season.

    This directive was issued by the state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi.

    Osiyemi noted that opening the gates will ease movement of vehicular traffic with a view to reducing traffic congestion that may arise due to the holidays. 

    Read Also: LASG to close Iyana Isolo overhead bridge for 2 hours on Sunday

    He said: “By opening the gate, seamless and convenient movement can be made possible during this period for residents and visitors.

    “It is important to note that strict compliance is necessary as contravention of this directive will warrant sanctions from the state government.

    “Residents are assured of the necessary architecture for the safety and security of all and sundry.”

  • LASG to close Iyana Isolo overhead bridge for 2 hours on Sunday

    LASG to close Iyana Isolo overhead bridge for 2 hours on Sunday

    The Lagos state government (LASG) has said that traffic would be diverted at the Iyana-Isolo overhead Bridge for two hours, between 7 am and 9 am, on Sunday, December 10.

    The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluseun Osiyemi, who disclosed this said the closure is to enable the Federal Ministry of Works to investigate the level of deterioration of the overhead bridge.

    To avoid being caught in the diversion, motorists are advised to avoid this part of the highway next Sunday, by making use of the following alternative routes; Motorists from Mushin enroute Isolo through Daleko are to use; Ijeshatedo to connect Cele Roundabout, to access Cele Bridge to Okota Road, to link Mushin Road and continue their journeys.

    Motorists from Isolo enroute Mushin through Daleko Bridge are to use Mushin Road to access Osolo Way to link Airport Road to connect Oshodi to reach their various destinations.

    Read Also: LASG to discipline 14 LASTMA officers over extortion

    Osiyemi said the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway where the bridge is located will be open to motorists during the two-hour closure.

    While soliciting the understanding and cooperation of motorists, the State Government added that Traffic Management and Security Personnel will be deployed to manage traffic flow and minimize inconveniences.