The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LASG

  • Tanker explosion: LASG to prosecute owner, driver

    …as CP assures on security

     

    The Lagos State Government will prosecute the owner and driver of the ill-fated fuel tanker which exploded last Thursday on Otedola Bridge inward Ojodu Berger along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The State’s Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal disclosed this yesterday while briefing Government House Correspondents after the Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem had at the weekend written to the CP to advise him on the relevant provisions of the law that could guide the ongoing investigation which would lead to possible prosecution.

    Edgal confirmed the receipt of the letter saying investigations into the incident were ongoing and that government would not allow vehicles that pose serious danger to residents on the road.

    The police chief, who briefed journalists alongside heads of other security agencies in the State, specifically commiserated with those who lost their loved ones to the tragic incident, while also commending emergency responders who quickly raced to the scene to keep the causality figure low.

    “As regards investigation into the matter, it is in top gear. I have just received a letter from the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice which stated very clearly charges which we are going to prefer against the driver and the owner of that tanker.

    “Henceforth, we are using this opportunity to call on all tanker drivers, all lorry drivers, all owners of such articulated vehicles to please submit those vehicles for Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) test; they must go through the entire hub and get the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) Certificate of Road Worthiness. We will not allow such vehicles which obviously pose serious danger to other road users on our roads,” Edgal said.

    He said government had already directed security agencies to intensify enforcement of relevant laws, especially the State Traffic Law, with the view to ensuring that the roads and highways in the State were safe for commuters to ply without any danger.

    Edgal also urged residents to always refrain from converging on the scene of any accident of such magnitude as that of the unfortunate tanker fire incident, saying there could be secondary explosion which could lead to loss of lives.

    Speaking on other issues deliberated at the meeting, Edgal said the Council reviewed the security situation in the State since the last time it met, saying it was gratifying to note that there had been 17 per cent reduction in violent crimes in the period under review.

    He also allayed fears over renewed threat of militancy in the creek areas of Epe, Imota and Agbowa, assuring that State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, was on top of the situation.

    “There is a good synergy between the security agencies and the locals in ensuring that we keep some of these militants who want to come into the State from Ondo waters to try to disturb peace of the State at bay.

    “We are calling on all those who are in the riverine communities to continue to partner with security agents to ensure that when they see strange movement, they quickly alert security agencies so that we can keep them safe. For now, I can assure Lagosians that those areas are being properly policed and security is tight in those areas,” Edgal said.

    Besides, Edgal appreciated Lagosians for credible information which had aided the fight against kidnapping, cultism, drug sale and drug abuse in the State, revealing that operatives of the Command recently intercepted a Container with over 37 Cartons of Tramadol which would have gotten to the public if not for prompt action of security agencies, just as he urged residents to continue to support security agents.

    On the scheduled visit to Lagos by French and Namibian Presidents in the coming days, Edgal urged residents to show the hospitality the State is known for, while appealing for cooperation in the eventuality of road diversions and restrictions.

    Giving update on the tanker accident, the Attorney General (Kazeem) said families of the victims had started submitting relevant samples to aid DNA test, saying: “I can confirm that today, families who lost their loved ones to the accident have started reporting at the Lagos State DNA Forensic Centre for submission of reference samples that would be used to identify victims.”

  • Oshodi flyover to be partially closed tomorrow, says LASG

    The Lagos State Government is restricting  movement on the Oshodi flyover between tomorrow night and Monday morning  in connection with the ongoing construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange.

    Works and Infrastructure Commissioner  Ade Akinsanya said the restriction will run from 10:00pm tomorrow 5:00am on Monday.

    The commissioner said in a statement that the restriction is to enable the contractor hoist  heavy structural steel trusses for the assembly of the skywalk bridge aspect of the project..

    Officials of the Lagos State Traffic management Agency (LASTMA),FRSC, Police, LAGESC, VIO, and others are to be deployed to help in managing traffic and provide safety and security support during the seven-hour night operation.

    The Skywalk Bridge, the longest free standing pedestrian bridge in Nigeria at 53.4 meters long and six metres wide, will  link Terminal One and Two buildings at the Oshodi Transport Interchange.

    The flyover will  be completely closed in the direction of Anthony to the Airport, while motorists in both directions  will make use of the second carriageway – Airport/Oshodi/Anthony.

    Similarly, motorists coming from Anthony can either access Town Planning Way through Ikorodu Road or Apapa Oworonshoki Expressway and then turn to Ilupeju Industrial Avenue and  link Agege Motor Road via Ilupeju bypass and make a U-turn at Bolade and turn to Apapa Oworonshoki Expressway.

    He added:”for motorists coming from Isolo/Airport Road, you can enter the service lane at Charity and turn to Agege Motor Road at Oshodi and then link Ilupeju Industrial Avenue via Ilupeju Bypass and then turn to Town Planning Way to link up Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway.”

    Besides, Akinsanya added that in the days and weeks ahead, there would also be closure on some certain section of roads within the axis to vehicular and human traffic.

    He solicited the cooperation and support of all road users plying the corridor to observe all the precaution signs on the road.

    “We encourage individuals and groups that may have cause to use the network of roads and bridges passing through, or linking Oshodi and environ, to be alert to disruptions and danger associated with movement of heavy steel and equipment,” he said.

  • Rainy season: LASG Inspects dump site facilities

    In preparation for the coming rains, Lagos State Government has embarked on an inspection tour of dump site facilities across the state with a view to ensuring that operators comply with standards.

    Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti said this while leading a team from the Ministry to the dump sites earlier.

    Durosinmi-Etti  said government has directed that additional platforms should be created at the dump sites, while  operators of dump sites and Transfer Loading stations have been asked to urgently apply  deodoriser to douse odours emanating from waste.

    He expressed the confidence that a cleaner and healthier Lagos was achievable if all hands were on deck through the cooperation of all stakeholders.

    At Solous 3 and Ewu-Elepe dump sites, where he inspected the ongoing road rehabilitation to ease traffic and enhance the turn-around time of compactors, he urged the operators to expedite the construction of the exit road for free movement of compactors in and out of the dump sites.

    At these dump sites and Agege Transfer Loading Station compactors were seen dumping and moving in and out without hitch.

  • Apapa Gridlock: Military, LASG, give truck drivers 48 hours to vacate bridge

    Apapa Gridlock: Military, LASG, give truck drivers 48 hours to vacate bridge

    Stakeholders, including the Nigerian Military and the Lagos State Government (LASG) on Wednesday gave a 48-hour ultimatum to all tanker drivers to vacate the bridge in national interest and security.

    The resolution was reached during a one day stakeholders meeting at the Naval Base in Apapa, comprising the military, Nigerian Port Authority(NPA), LASG, Nigerian Union Petroleum Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

    Others who attended the stakeholders meeting were Nigerian Police, Dangote Group, Apapa Residents Association, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Apapa Government Reserved Area Resident Association, among others.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Adm. Sylvanus Abbah, who was the conveyner of the meeting, appealed to the tanker drivers to leave the bridge in national interest.

    According to him, terrorists might take the advantage of the traffic situation to strike in Lagos and this has to be prevented from happening.

    “Costain is going to be the turning point of the trucks.

    “After 48 hours, no truck will park on the bridge because of national interest and I hope you will all take the decision of this meeting,” he said.

    He said that some of the trucks had been parked on the bridge for weeks, adding that the bridge might collapse which would be an additional problem.

    Abbah said a committee would also be set up which would involve the major stakeholders including NUPENG to further address the traffic situation.

    “All major stakeholders most especially the shipping lines will be in the committee and if I have my way, the Apapa Local Government Chairman would spearhead the committee,” he said.

    The NPA Traffic Manager, Mr Ogini Victor, who represented the Port Manager, Mrs Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, said that the Apapa Gridlock had become a barber’s chair that was rotating and not moving anywhere.

    “Synergy is the keyword that can solve the problem of the gridlock.

    “We have also decided that all empty containers should go to holden bays and we will make sure our men give us report on how many trucks park at the bay daily,” he said.

    The representative of NUPENG, Comrade Adekunle Adelaja, while reacting to the directive, said that the union does not support tankers parking on the bridge.

    He enjoined all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem as it was affecting everyone.

    “We need to have another meeting and call all the farm tankers. Let us see how we can be able to do the programming that trucks will just go to the depot without parking on the bridge,” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr Taiwo Salau, said that there should be good synergy among security agencies to resolve the traffic situation.

    “There should be synergy among security agencies so that these areas can be cleaned up and have a check point before the long bridge,” he said. (NAN)

  • Obafemi Martins donates 200 wheel chairs, 3,240 crutches, others to LASG

    Obafemi Martins donates 200 wheel chairs, 3,240 crutches, others to LASG

    Nigeria Football international, Obafemi Martins on Thursday donated health equipment worth several millions of naira to the Lagos State Government, saying it was part of his philanthropic gestures to give back to the society. Among the equipment donated by Martins, through his foundation, Obafemi Martins Foundation (OMF), include 200 wheel chairs, 3,240 crutches, 100 Baby Courts, 60 hospital beds, 13 electric wheel chairs and 3,200 blind sticks. Presenting the equipment to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode during  a short ceremony held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Martins, who currently plies his trade with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C in China, said the mission of his Foundation is to assist mem bers of the community who are in need as a result of being handicapped. “I am grateful to announce that the Foundation is currently prepared to donate a lot of wheel chairs, electronic wheel chairs, clutches and other equipment. I am confident that this contribution will impact lives in our communities.

    Through service to our community, we can all make a difference,” Martins said. He, however, said that the Foundation would not only stop at the donation, adding that there would be more interventions in the nearest future. Receiving the equipment on behalf of the State Government, Governor Ambode commended Martins for the gesture, saying that it was not only a worthy and noble act of selfless service, but a clear demonstration of his commitment to Nigeria and most especially Lagos State. “We are all delighted to welcome Obafemi Martins back home. As you are aware, he is a true born Lagosian and through his Foundation, he has deemed it necessary to extend selfless service back to his community. “We are, on behalf of Lagosians, saying a big thank you to you. Apart from the fact that you have become an excellent ambassador for Lagos, you’ve done extremely very well in your chosen career.

    You’ve also deemed it fit that it’s time to pay back to humanity. Apart from the fact that these are things that we would use in our hospitals, there are also things that we are going to use for people living with disabilities. “This actually complements the efforts of the government to support our less privileged brothers and sisters. You have shown yourself to be a true role model on and off the pitch and Lagos State is very proud to associate with you. Once again, I commend you for your philanthropic gesture and wish you more successes in your endeavours,” the Governor said. Governor Ambode, who later presented a letter of commendation personally signed by him to Martins, also seized the occasion to encourage other well-meaning Nigerians and organisations that have the opportunity to contribute back to the community to emulate such gesture.

    “I have been reliably informed few weeks back that we also had this kind of gesture from the proprietor of Ebeano Supermarket for the giant stride he did for us at Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, I want to also use this opportunity to say a big thank you to him and also to let others willing to support us and complement the efforts of government to do the same,” the Governor said. He said Martins’ gesture has reinforced his administration’s belief that sports remains a veritable tool that can be utilized to touch humanity, just as he assured that the equipment would be put to judicious use especially at the Primary Healthcare Centres across the State.

    “I think that there is no thank you that is enough. It would go into our history books that you are one of the firsts of our people that would actually give back to the community and to the society,” Governor Ambode said. Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu, said the donation by OMF was a testament to what can be achieved through sports, stating that it was for this reason the present administration is advocating the use of sports for development of the State. Also speaking, Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said the State Government welcomes such gestures, noting that aside government’s determination to make available all essential equipment in public hospitals, donations by public-spirited persons out of their sheer will of commitment to support government’s effort are worthy of emulation and indeed commendable.

  • LASG, NMRC, others sign MoU for 20,000 housing units

    LASG, NMRC, others sign MoU for 20,000 housing units

    The efforts of the Lagos State government and other stakeholders in the built environment to tackle housing deficit, frontally, received a boost on Monday.

    This is coming on the heels of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) and a consortium of developers to build and deliver 20,000 housing units in Lagos.

    The MoU, signed by the parties, is in line with the Lagos Affordable Public Housing (L.A.P.H.) initiative of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration, geared towards building 20,000 housing units through a joint venture initiative (JVI).

    At the signing at the state’s Ministry of Housing Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, said that the ministry and the developers had initiated an arrangement with Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMI) and NMRC to facilitate the creation of mortgages for subscribers to the housing units under the LAPH initiative.

    This is because of  the prevailing economic downturn in the country which, he said, has affected the finances of most citizens and their ability to fund the purchase of a home,

    “The state government is a subscriber to NMRC by virtue of the registration of our Lagos Building Investment Corporation (LBIC) with the company and is therefore qualified to benefit from the mortgage loan refinancing roles of NMRC. The refinancing agreement will assist the supply side as well as the demand side of the value chain as it will set in motion a revolving pool of funds for mortgage origination which will assist developers and provide them access to construction finance and help scale up housing delivery,” he said.

    Gbolahan added that the LAPH home ownership initiative and the collaboration were an opportunity for the state and its residents to leverage the benefits under NMRC.

    Lawal said the refinancing agreement would also avail citizens of the affordability and accessibility the NMRC provides through the refinancing of long-term mortgages, thereby unlocking its multiplier effects on the state’s strong economy, including jobs and wealth creation.

    “Examples of the efforts include the effective re-positioning of housing provision institutions in the state and the successful implementation of the Rent-To-Own scheme which has driven the growth of the sector and enabled many Lagosians realise their dreams of affordable home ownership,” he added.

    He said the MoU would trigger a scheme that could be tagged: “Home Ownership Made Easy.”

    “I make bold to say that by this singular step, Lagos State under the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has taken another giant step towards making housing readily available and accessible for the citizens of Lagos State,” he said.

    NMRC Managing Director Prof. Charles Inyangete described the MoU as a watershed that would lead to housing revolution in Lagos State. He praised Ambode for driving the initiative through the Ministry of Housing, saying the MoU would lead to the delivery of affordable houses through the mortgage system.

    The Chairman, Brain and Hammers, Mr. Adebola Sheidu, whose firm is one of the consortium of developers, said the signing of the MoU was a major breakthrough in the housing sector. He explained that most developers had been constrained by “exit strategy” after building a house, that is, how to recoup their investment after developing mass houses.

    He said with NMRC on this initiative, mortgage would be more accessible to more Nigerians, and  developers would be able to build more houses. Sheidu noted that the more developers build, the more jobs will be created.

    “For every house built, there are seven semi-skilled workers and minimum three labourers working there. So look at the multiplier effect of this on job creation. This is aside that more Nigerians will be able to own their home at an affordable rate,” Sheidu said.

  • Again, court affirms LASG’s authority over inland waterways

    Again, court affirms LASG’s authority over inland waterways

    •Says NIWA lacks constitutional power to regulate state waterways

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has affirmed the power of the Lagos State Government to legislate and control the inland waterways within the territory of the state.

    The court, in a judgment on a suit filed by fishermen operating in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the State, held that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) lacks any constitutional power to regulate inland waterways within the State.

    It therefore declared all licences granted the plaintiffs null and void.

    The  court  of Appeal in Lagos had, in a recent judgment, upheld the power of the Lagos State Government through the State’s House of Assembly to legislate on the inland waterways within the State.

    The plaintiffs in the suit before the Federal High Court – Ewenla Fishermen Cooperative Society Limited, Afenifere Fish Sellers Better-Life Igbokusu, Eti-Osa Fishermen Cooperative Society Limited, Kolawole Giwa Balogun, and Alhaji Folani Oladipupo Sikiru suing for themselves and on behalf of all fishermen/women and fish sellers in Eti-Osa had filed the suit asking that NIWA be declared as the body statutorily empowered to manage, control and regulate land interest within 100 meters of all declared Federal Waterways in Nigeria, and that the license on the right of way granted to them by NIWA is valid and subsisting.

    It was also contended by the plaintiffs that any license granted by the Lagos State Government over the declared Federal Waterways in particular, Peninsular of Lagos Lagoon was ultra vires, illegal and of no effect whatsoever.

    The defendants in the suit included NIWA, Governor of Lagos State, Lagos State Government, Wemco Limited and unknown persons.

    In his judgment, Justice Saliu Saidu dismissed the claims of the plaintiffs and held that same were in conflict with the provision of the constitution.

    The court held that to determine the extent of the power of NIWA to regulate inland waterways, recourse must be made to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), 1999.

    The Court considered Items 29 and 36 of the Exclusive Legislative List of CFRN and held that “Inland Waterways was not one of the items over which the National Assembly was given power to legislate and the National Assembly did not designate the Peninsular of Lagos Lagoon as an International Waterway.

    Specifically, the court agreed with the submissions canvassed in favour of the 2nd and 3rd defendants (GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE and LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT) that: “The State Government has the authority to legislate over Inland Waterways within its territory; the State Government possesses the power to grant permits and collect fees as this is a residual matter and that NIWA has no constitutional power to regulate Inland Waterways within Lagos State.” In arriving at the decision, Justice Saidu relied on the recent Court of Appeal decision in the case of LASWA & Ors vs. NIWA & Ors, adding that the Plaintiffs failed to establish the identity of the land claimed.

    “NIWA has no power to grant the said licence to the plaintiffs in the first place. As such, the plaintiffs have no interest whatsoever in the land,” Justice Saidu ruled, while also refusing the claim for damages.

  • LASG charged to build cancer centre in divisional areas

    The Lagos State Government has been charged to build cancer centres across the divisional areas in the city. This was said by the 34th District Chairman Inner Wheel Club District 911, Mrs. Fathiat Rufai, during a Cancer Road Show campaign in Lagos.

    According to Rufai, the purpose of the cancer road show was to create awareness of the deadly cancer diseases and to be conscious about its early cure, if detected early.   According to her, building of cancer centres in the divisional areas of the state would help women to have easy/quick access to the centre where patience could have early cure.

    Rufai appealed to the Lagos House of Assembly members to pass a bill on cancer awareness in the state.

    “This will help to reduce the death rate of cancer patients, as there will be easy and quick access to centres where vaccine and other drugs will be given at early stage to cure the cancer,” she said.

    The Lagos House of Assembly Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Omotayo Oyeledun, who received the Inner Wheel members, expressed her appreciation on the road show on cancer awareness organised by the club.

    The cancer road show flag-off took place at Ikeja Local Government Area. The road show started at about 9.10a.m and ended up in Lagos House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja at about 9.45a.m.

  • LASG begins enforcement of meat transportation rules

    The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Task Force) yesterday began enforcing the use of ‘Eko Refrigerated Meat Vans’ for transportation of processed meat from slaughter houses/abattoirs to meat markets.

    The agency’s acting chairman, Wilson Alaba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) stated this during an enforcement operation at Oko-Oba Abattoir Markets, Agege.

    Alaba said many motorcycles, rickety vehicles and other unauthorised means of carrying processed meat were dislodged within the market.

    He explained that the enforcement operation was necessary to ensure compliance with the reformed red meat and meat hygiene law and to enforce transportation of meat in a wholesome and hygienic manner.

    Alaba, who stated that enforcement teams were deployed to different approved slaughter houses/abattoirs, enjoined the Butchers Association of Oko-Oba and other relevant stakeholders “to immediately comply.”

    He warned that anyone caught using unauthorised means of carrying processed meats within the state would face trial.

  • LASG drums up support for AMAA

    LASG drums up support for AMAA

    The Lagos State Government has called on the companies and multinationals operating in Nigeria and the state to support this year’s edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards scheduled to hold on June 18.
    Speaking at AMAA 2017 Sponsors Night last Thursday, the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde who represented the State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode said that the government of the state is prepared to make the awards this year a very beautiful experience.
    “We are very happy that AMAA is holding this year in Lagos and for the first time in its 13 years history Lagos is hosting it officially. We are ready to host the best AMA Awards. We are using this Sponsors’ Night event to call on businesses and corporate Nigeria to come on board and support the awards through sponsorship and I am glad that the various marketing and branding opportunities which AMAA offers sponsors have been unveiled to us. We call on companies to buy into this and support this very successful continental award,” he said.
    According to Ayorinde, the nominees for the awards will be announced at a gala night in Kigali from May 13-15 and it is AMAA’s tradition to move the nominations event from city to city in Africa.
    “We are particularly happy about the synergy that AMAA has brought between Lagos and Rwanda. Lagos can learn from Rwanda and there is what Rwanda can learn from Lagos too,” he added.
    In her welcome address, the founder of the award, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe thanked United Bank for Africa, Globacom, Sterling Bank, Airtel and other companies that had sponsored and supported AMAA in the past and charged them and others to come to take advantage of the brand activation opportunities that AMAA as a continental award platform offers sponsors.
    Among those who attended the event were Erelu of Lagos, Dosumu Abiola, Chief Executive of Terra Kulture, Mrs. Bolanle Austen Peters, Nollywood actresses, Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, Doris Simon, Nollywood Directors/Actors, Fred Amata, and Kunle Afolayan.