The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Miriam-Ekene-Okoro

Lagos warns against sale of LAKE Rice above approved price
- Targets 16 metric tonnes per hour production
The Lagos State Government yesterday warned officials handling the sale of its subsidised LAKE Rice in designated locations to desist from selling the product beyond the approved prices or face severe sanctions.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau who gave the warning at the 2017 Ministerial Press Briefing of the Ministry of Agriculture to commemorate the second year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in Lagos State said the rice, a product of the collaboration between Lagos and Kebbi States was still on sale across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.

According to him, “Lake Rice is still on sale. We still have centres where we distribute it. During the Easter period, the rice was available across the 57 local governments and the price remains the same. The 50kg is N12, 000; 25kg is N6000, while the 10kg remains N2, 500”.

Responding to a question on the sharp practices noticed in some sale centres across the State, Suarau said, “If anyone sells it above these approved prices, we encourage people to report to us so that we can arrest such person.

“If you have evidence, come up with it. We have investigated and we have not found any of these cases to be true.”

He said the product, since the launch in December 2016 had been on sale at various centers across the State, adding that so far, a total of 32,647 bags of 50kg; 32,539 bags of 25kg and 30,780 bags of 10kg have been sold.

The Commissioner also disclosed plans by the government to boost rice production in the State revealing that plans are ongoing to expand the rice mills at Imota from 2.5metric tonnes per hour to 16 metric tonnes per hour while at the same time encouraging private sector operators to invest in rice processing.

Suarau said that has part of the effort to increase food supply and ensure food security in Lagos State, the State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture was vigorously implementing the State’s Strategic Food Security Plan with programmes and projects that have the remarkable impact on food security in the State.

The Commissioner added also that no fewer than 100 farmers through the FADAMA III additional financing programme are producing rice at Itokin in Epe Local Government in furtherance of the State government’s effort to engage youths and boost rice production in the state.

“In all, rice cultivation has so far improved in the State from less than one ton per hectare to about three tons per hectare with double cropping in some areas where irrigation facilities are provided”, he said.

Suarau while restating the commitment of the Akinwunmi Ambode led administration towards the attainment of food security in the State said that Food Security was in the front burner of the present administration policies to facilitate job and wealth creation as well as poverty reduction.

Speaking in the same vein, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Mr. Ganiyu Sanni Okanlawon said the State government is committed to work with the private sector to facilitate food security by harnessing Public and Private investment to create a strong, mixed sector economy that can provide jobs for all and create the base for expanding social services and environmental sustainability.

He said: “Agriculture has the highest demonstrated potential for job and wealth creation and it is against this background that the agricultural sector should be one of the key instruments of achieving this laudable dream”.
April 25, 2017
Tinubu a working made-in-Nigeria product – Ambode
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has described the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a true example of a working made in Nigeria product.
Governor Ambode who made the remark yesterday at the well-attended Colloquium held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, to commemorate Tinubu’s 65th birthday, said Tinubu political success transcend the length and breadth of the country.
Addressing the large turnout of dignitaries from all walks of life, including Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, past and serving governors, ministers, members of National and State Assemblies, members of the diplomatic corps, among others.
Ambode explained that like the Coconut, the APC stalwart has continued to be fruitful, creating more products and by-products from his political dynasty than any other living made-in-Nigeria political product in recent history.
- [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dda34b” bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Related Post: Tinubu, a great builder – Obaseki[/quote]
•Ambode

He said Tinubu, who was governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2007 contributed immensely to the success story of the State, adding that he was one of Nigeria’s shining examples in the political terrain.
The governor said: “Like the coconut, some by-products/fruits will get bad along the way or after being sold in the market; in actual fact, the political product may not be the favourite of some other people.
“The bottom line, however, is simple; If Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were a coconut; I dare say, with all simplicity, I would be among the forefront liners that will eat, drink and sleep B.A.T. 24/7.
“The test of a successful leader is the number of leaders that he has created. Using this globally accepted parameter, Asiwaju, at 65, is, without a doubt, a winner in this category.
“There is no doubt the Asiwaju political dynasty is a made in Nigeria product. The foundation laid and blueprints developed during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State which cuts across all sections of the State’s economy have actually simplified the process of governance till date.
[quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddbc89″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]His blueprint has continued to serve as a road map to achieving the Lagos of his and our dreams. This same political product, without a doubt, traverses the Nigerian landscape and that is evident with the emergence of the APC at the centre in 2015.
Asiwaju, on behalf of the First Lady, my entire family, all your admirers at home and across the world, we say a big thank you for your large-heartedness, benevolence and visionary leadership that you have unleashed on this nation. You are a Statesman par excellence, my leader, our leader – Ambode[/quote]
Describing the theme of the Colloquium, ‘Make it in Nigeria – Use What We Make-Make What We Use”, Ambode said he was an unrepentant convert of the ideology, noting that Lagos state has demonstrated it with the successful partnership with Kebbi state on Lake Rice.
- [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dda34b” bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Also Read: Tinubu: A dogged fighter for democracy – Dogara[/quote]
He assured that his administration would continue to improve on the indices of the ease of doing business to ensure that more products are made in Nigeria for the development and growth of our nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari in his remarks described Tinubu as an outstanding politician, great mobilizer, effective in conceiving and planning governmental policies.
“Chief Bola Tinubu is an outstanding Yoruba politician of his generation,” he said.
Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau said that the Federal Government was already putting policies in place to encourage and facilitate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to promote made in Nigeria goods, adding that same was part of his administration’s overall national economic policy.
In her remarks, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun assured Nigerians that the country would soon be out of the economic recession, revealing that the Federal Government was already copying the Lagos template to revive the economy.
She said the Federal Government recently released N1trillion for capital expenditure to make the economy productive, adding that measures were being taken to bring about multiple streams of revenue.
- [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dda34b” bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Also Read: Tinubu raised the bar for political leaders Nigeria – Buhari[/quote]
“The economic template we copied from you (Lagos) is now being implemented for an economic recovery of the country and we are not ashamed to say it. The impact of that template is that many of the states are now copying it especially in the area of IGR,” Adeosun said.
Also speaking, the celebrant (Tinubu) said it was time for the Federal Government to press forward with its national industrial policy and national infrastructural plan, especially by creating infrastructural funding from financial institutions.
Tinubu, who commended the present leadership of the country, also advocated the need to embrace other forms of power generation and incentives to bring back some of the manufacturing companies that hitherto left Nigeria due to unfriendly business environment
Among those who attended the event included; former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, South West Governors of Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Ondo; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbeshola, Abiola Ajumobi, Ibikunle Amosu and Rotimi Akeredolu; serving governors, Senators, politicians, entrepreneurs, among others.
March 28, 2017
FG frustrating my plans for Oshodi-Airport Road – Ambode
- says state of road a national disgrace
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said the Federal Government was presently standing in the way of his administration’s effort to embark on the total reconstruction of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Road from Oshodi axis.

The governor, who spoke to journalists at the Lagos House, Ikeja shortly after embarking out an extensive inspection of projects, said the present state of the Airport Road was a national embarrassment.

He said although his administration has come up with a design for the reconstruction of the road as well as the funds to embark on the project, the Federal Ministry of Works was yet to grant approval.

According to him, “The road linking Oshodi to the International Airport, you would all agree with me is a national embarrassment. In the spirit of the regeneration and urbanisation that this administration has set out to achieve, we believe strongly that the image that is exhumed by the decadence of that road must be repaired and we took it upon ourselves to appropriate in the 2017 budget that the House of Assembly should approve the total reconstruction of the Airport Road from Oshodi to the International Airport.

“The State currently has a design of 10 lanes to come from Oshodi to the International Airport with interchange and flyover that would drop you towards the Local Airport. The contractor is already set to go and everything, as I said, has been completed and we already have the cash, but alas we are having challenges with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. This is a Federal and not a State road. The Federal Ministry of Works believes that they should do the road, but they have not been able to do it all these years past.”

He lamented that despite the fact that the Federal Government was indebted to the State to the tune of N51billion, which was spent on repairing Federal roads over the years, the State Government’s effort to immediately transform the Airport Road to world class standard was being frustrated.

Ambode said if given the approval, his administration was ready to hit the ground running and begin construction of the Airport Road within two weeks and finish same within a period of six months.

Ambode also implored the Federal Government to avail the State of the N2billion appropriated for the Airport Road in the 2017 National Budget to carry out the project.

“I just want to remind Lagosians that prior to my becoming Governor, the Federal Ministry of Works has been owing Lagos State a total of N51billion as reimbursement for reconstruction that was carried out by the State Government on federal roads in the State.

“So obviously, what we are asking for is that whatever it is that we are asking for, it can never be up to the N51billion that they are owing us.

“I just want to appeal to the Federal Ministry of Works, to let go or reimburse us with whatever it is that they are owing us and even if they are not willing to pay us now, we have the money to do it. It is a national disgrace and we would not be part of it. We would like to do it as part of the celebration of Lagos at 50,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor also expressed frustration that six months after President Muhammadu Buhari approved the handover of the Presidential Lodge, Marina, the state government was yet to gain access to the premises, saying that it was frustrating the programmes outlined for the Lagos @50 celebrations.

“As we speak, we are yet to gain entrance into that place, it’s frustrating our programme. So I want to use this medium to appeal and say that the approval of Mr President should be rightly honoured and the agencies concerned, that is the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Security Services should honour that promise by Mr President.

On the projects inspected, the Governor expressed satisfaction with the pace of work by the contractors, saying that they would be commissioned as part of the State’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

While noting that his administration has fully paid compensation to owners of properties that had to give way for the Oshodi and Ojodu Berger regeneration projects, stated that the State Government has concluded plans to pay property owners at Abule Egba within the next four weeks.

Among projects inspected include the Ojodu Berger regeneration project, Abule Egba Flyover Project and also the Aboru Abesan Link Road Project.
March 8, 2017
Lagos- Ibadan rail project to be completed in 2018 – Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has flagged off the N458 billion Lagos – Ibadan segment II modern railway project, assuring that the project would be completed within the time frame of December 2018.

Osinbajo, who spoke at the ground breaking ceremony held at Nigerian Railway Corporation premises in Ebute Metta, Lagos, described the development as a reflection of the Federal Government plan to build a globally competitive economy with a first-grade infrastructure.

He said the development of a functional railway system in the country is very dear to President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the ground breaking of the Lagos-Ibadan project further signifies the determination of the President to modernise the national railway system.

Osinbajo said: “The President in his January 2016 visit to China reopened negotiation on the Chinese support for this project, secondly this ceremony also marks the commencement of our plan to move speedily to improve links with Lagos which is the national economic nerve centre and major port to other state capitals across the country.

“We made provision for matching funds in 2016 budget to complement the concession loans obtain from the People Republic of China. We have the entire Lagos- Kano rail track as well as the Lagos-Calabar railway track in the 2017 budget.”

The acting president said negotiations has been completed on the next phase of Kaduna –Kano portion, saying the government has provided the counterpart funding for the Lagos-Calabar routes.

He added that negotiations with the foreign counterpart funding will be finalised within the next three months.

He added: “An active and vibrant railway system conferred many benefits on the society. Our ultimate goal is to restore a railway using culture for both commercial and personal transportation. We are confident that the national rail project will create up to half a million jobs and facilitate the movement of up to 3.2 tonnes of cargo per annum.

“It will also reduce the burden on national highways thus reducing deterioration of the road network and increasing the life span of our roads.”

He stressed that railway network will support efforts to diversify the economy and enhance the country export potentials.

March 7, 2017
World hijab day: Don encourages Muslim women

A lecturer in the University of Lagos, College of Medicine, Professor Fatima Abdul-Kareem has admonished Muslim women in the country not to yield to intimidation and harassment over the use of Hijab.
Abdul-Kareem, spoke yesterday at a public lecture organised in commemoration of World Hijab Day, by the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque.
AbddulKareem who recalled her personal experience in the hands of some overzealous government and international agencies added that she had stood her ground and refused to put off her Hijab when forced to do so.
She said the persistent harassment and intimidation of women in Hijab, requires immediate attention from the government as this infringed on the right of the citizens.
She stressed that it was unlawful, unfair to insist that women should remove their hijabs when taking passport at the immigration offices or banks, saying the removal of hijab was needless since it would bring about a new identity of the person who dresses in hijab.
According to her, “I have encountered such but I stood my ground. I explained to them that my identity is in hijab and that’s how I appear everywhere I go. So, if I remove my hijab for the passport, it will not be me anymore because it will amount to a strange identity. I go about in hijab anywhere I want to go since the passport is expected to represent me, taking the passport with my identity which is in hijab will only be ideal. Sometimes one is forced to remove the ear before taking passport what has passport got to do with my identity. I have travelled to almost every part of the world with my hijab without harassment why should I be in my own country?”
Also speaking, Aisha Adams, the Women Affairs Secretary of the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, urged women in Hijab not to be despair with the attacks, harassment, saying that hijab-wearing was obedience to the injunction of God Almighty.
She said it was unlawful that no government law prescribed discrimination of women in Hijab, adding that practice must be checked through a pronouncement by the government.
“When some people chose to be exposing their body and the society doesn’t have a problem with them, why should there be a problem with those who cover their body as commanded by God Almighty?”

February 1, 2017
Lagos seals six events centres, night clubs

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture has commenced a clampdown on tourism and hospitality establishments with a record of non-compliance with the statutory process of registration and payment of annual permits.

The Ministry officials led by the Head of Hotel Licensing Directorate, Ms Barbara Wey, on Wednesday sealed 10 Degrees Event Center on Billingsway, Balmoral and Yard 158 party halls situated at Kudirat Abiola Way, all located within the Oregun area of the State.

The team also sealed Haven Event Centre situated at Ikeja GRA for refusal to register the party and event center despite several notifications and contravention notices served by the State Government since 2012.

The team carried out a similar exercise with the shutdown of Cave and Vegas night clubs in Ikeja.

Speaking to journalists, Ms Wey said Ministry would not relent in its renewed effort to ensure all tourism and hospitality establishments in the State comply with statutory registration and payment of all dues and permits.

She enjoined all defaulting tourism and hospitality operators to comply with the registration process and payment of all accrued dues in the State.

November 16, 2016
Yoruba/Egun clash: Residents storm Ambode’s office

Residents of Otodo-Gbame Community in Eti-Osa Local Government, protesting the demolition of over 800 structures within the community, yesterday stormed the office of the Lagos State Governor and House of Assembly, bringing activities at both offices, to a halt.

Like they did on Monday, the residents besieged the Governor’s office, saying they had come again to express their displeasure over the demolition of structures in the over 100-year-old community.

As at 2pm, both entrances to the Governor’s office, the House of Assembly, Mobolaji Johnson Road and Governor’s Road were all barricaded by the protesters who chanted several songs depicting the hardship they had been subjected to.

One of the residents said about eight persons drowned while trying to escape from the scene of the clash, between the Yoruba and Egun residents, through the lagoon behind the community.

Also, Mobolaji Johnson and Governor’s Road were barricaded by the protesters who chanted several songs to express the hardship they had been subjected to.

The policemen attached to the governor’s office had a hectic time trying to disperse the protesters who had prevented a guest to the Governor’s office from gaining entrance into the premises, forcing the police attaché to fire shots in the air to scare the protesting residents.

One of the residents, Muhammed Zana, said: “Officials of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) shot in the air to scare us. They almost run over us with their cars. But we have resolved to continue to barricade the entrance until we get assurance from the governor or his deputy, directing the police to leave their community.”

Moses Dansu, who said he is the son to the Baale of Otodo-Gbame community, lamented that he couldn’t tell the whereabouts of his family, saying “My family is scattered. I don’t know where they are at the moment. My father, the Baale has been arrested without any charge.

“I voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to come into power but I am disappointed that the party has come back to demolish our houses. I am a barber in the community. All my tools have been set ablaze by the police. I don’t know where to start. At the moment, I only have one cloth and shoe left and that is what I have on me.”

The residents under the aegis of Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation also alleged that on November 10, the police came back with a bulldozer and began to set the houses ablaze, adding “Despite call higher levels of the police, including the Complaints Response Unit and others, there was no respite to protect lives and properties.”

Dansu lamented that the police had been visiting the community since last week and allegedly setting their structures ablaze.

He noted that “on Sunday, the police stormed the community and set the structures left ablaze. Also, yesterday, they visited the community and chased the residents away to set fire on the structures they found within the community.”

Another resident, who identified herself as Iya Rahman, said “our mosque has been burnt by the police. They came last Sunday and set all structures ablaze. And when we tried protesting against their action, the police argued that we have been directed to leave the community.”

As at press time, n official of the state government had attended to the protesters as the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had travelled out for an official assignment.

November 15, 2016
Oil production in Lagos’ll boost Nigeria’s economy

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said that the commencement of crude oil production in the State would in no small measure, enhance the economy of not just the State but the nation in general.

The Governor, who spoke when he received the Chairman and members of the Indices and Disbursement Committee of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on a courtesy visit to the Lagos House, Ikeja, said that it was significant for the Nigerian economy that the State has emerged as the first oil producing state outside the Niger Delta basin.

He described the visit by the committee as remarkable in the annals of the history of Lagos, adding that it signals the official step that takes the State to the final destination that makes us to become an oil producing state.

“We are very glad to receive this delegation. We also want to thank the Federal Government, most especially President Muhammadu Buhari for making this happen very promptly. I want to say that this has been the quickest action that has been taken by RMAFC since I have known the Commission.

“I used to be a former Account General so I had a lot of transactions and relationship with the institution called RMAFC. Within a span of about 60 days of when we wrote our letter, and even before we wrote the letter, this technical committee was set up. It gladdens me to say that the institution works and is working for the good of Nigeria,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode also commended the members of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Boundary Commission, saying that both have contributed immensely to the process of the discovery and production of crude oil in Lagos.

While alluding to the fact that the feat in Lagos has kick-started the path to diversification of oil production in Nigeria, the Governor urged other states in the federation to begin to activate the mineral deposits in their domain as a means to boost their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

“It would also give us revenue independence in a manner that there would be equal growth from all the nooks and corners of Nigeria. I am happy that RMAFC has taken this step and also to say that they should also encourage other states to engage in such activities that would allow them to be able to activate whatever mineral deposit that we have in the various states in conjunction with the Federal Government, so that we can start to diversify revenue and growth and then create a balanced growth and development for the whole country,” Ambode said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed said they were on a working visit to Lagos to verify crude oil and gas production from Aje Oil Wells for the purpose of disbursement of the 13 per cent Derivation Fund to the State in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said the Commission had set-up an Inter-Agency technical Committee comprising of the RMAFC, DPR, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation and the National Boundary Commission to determine the location of the Aje Oil Wells.

Mohammed said that the Technical Committee recommended that for the purpose of the Derivation Fund as spelt out under Section 162 (2) of the 1999 constitution as well as the provision of the Allocation of Revenue Act 2004, number 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Aje Oil Wells fall within 200m isobaths and therefore should be attributed to Lagos State.

He said as a result, the Commission and members of the Inter-Agency Committee had to embark on the working visit to the Oil Wells to conclude the process.

He added that the outcome of the visit would promote national unity as well as the socio-economic development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“It is also important to state that the commencement of oil production from Aje oil field by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited is the first time oil is being produced outside the Niger Delta basin and therefore of a significance in diversifying the source of crude and gas production in the country,” Mohammed said.

August 17, 2016
Ambode plans world class Convention Centre for Lagos
- LCCI President laud Gov’s strides
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday revealed that his administration is working towards developing a top class International Convention Centre that would boost trade and investments in the state.

The governor who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja when he received a delegation from the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) led by the President, Chief Dr. (Mrs) Nike Akande, said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct the Centre has already been signed.

He said the Centre, which would be constructed in the Victoria Island area of the State on 30, 000 square meters space, upon completion, would be of international standard and it would compete favorably with best convention and exhibition centres across the world.

Emphasizing the importance of organizations such as LCCI in growing the economy, Ambode commended the leadership of the organization for partnering with the State to develop the economy, especially ensuring businesses and investments continue to thrive.

He added that the LCCI remained a veritable instrument to reach out to investors and the private sector, assuring that his government would continue to partner with the organization in the best interest of the people.

He said: “We will continue to be partners in progress and I believe strongly in improving on the ease of doing business and like we have always tried to reiterate, our administration is actually built on a tripod. First is security and we believe that if we are able to secure the lives and property of our people, we will create an atmosphere that we can actually now create job opportunities that we allow investors to come in and those local investors too.

He also said his administration is unequivocally committed to give good governance and accountability to the people, as well as allow a better platform for the private sector and businesses to thrive.

Earlier, Akande said her delegation was at the Lagos House on a courtesy visit to the Governor as part of activities to further improve on the relationship which had always existed between the State Government and the LCCI.

She commended Governor Ambode for his numerous achievements just within one year in office, saying the State was witnessing a gradual but steady rebranding for better under the Governor.

Akande, a former Minister of the Federal Republic, alluded to the donation of equipment to security agencies, the numerous road construction and rehabilitation across the State, effective traffic and environmental management, power sector development, Light Up Lagos Project, creation of Office of Oversees Affairs and Investment, N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF), among other giant strides of the Governor, saying all the initiatives were important enablers for the private sector.

“The Governor has not only sustained the good legacies of his predecessors but he has created a new development trajectory for Lagos State. Governor Ambode’s disposition is calm and amiable; his style is effective and his approach is inclusive, while his strategy is result-oriented,” Akande said.
June 13, 2016
Ambode concludes plans for N22.4 billion Oshodi regeneration project

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has concluded plans to commenced construction on the regeneration and development of Oshodi into a world class transport interchange at a cost of over N22.4 billion ($70 million).

The governor who unveiled the plan at a stakeholders meeting held at Ikeja House yesterday said the interchange will be constructed into three world class terminal that will curb haphazard and indiscriminate parking and picking up of passengers by road sides by commercial bus drivers.

Governor Ambode described Oshodi as the busiest transport interchange in West Africa, with over 5,600 buses spread over 13 different motor parks loading daily, adding that the present situation in that corridor does fit into the dream of a growing mega city.

He stated that Oshodi has over 200,000 passengers boarding per day, about one million pedestrians and that 76% of the area is dedicated to transport and related activities, lamenting that the result of this was chaos, illegal markets, high human and vehicular traffic, environmental and sanitation issues and in recent times serious security challenges.

According to him,“we have a solution to the Oshodi menace. The Oshodi Interchange you see today will be replaced by an iconic, world class transportation and commercial hub. That is in keeping with the vision of this government to transform the key city centres of the State to reflect the mega city status of Lagos.

“Many of you would have been aware of the recent demolition of illegal structures and markets in this area. This was not to oppress or deny anybody their livelihood but to start the process of regenerating and recreating Oshodi. Our effort to redevelop Oshodi is aimed at improving the physical structure, security and more importantly creating the 24-hour economy which we promised.

He said the proposed redevelopment of Oshodi axis will consolidate all the 13 City and Interstate parks into 3 multi-storey bus park & terminals situated on 4 floors.

“The first terminal would be constructed at the Mosafejo Market axis and would be for Inter-state transportation, while the second terminal would be erected at the former Owonifari Market, and the third terminal to be built adjacent to NAFDAC and would be for Intra-city transport activities.

He said these terminals would have standard facilities, including waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands; drivers lounge, parking areas, rest rooms, among others, adding that the development would include accessible walkways and pedestrian bridges/sky-walks to link all the three terminals.

“The development will introduce bus lanes, lay-bys, green parks to soften the environment, proper waste management, fencing and a dedicated security team for Oshodi. When we complete this project, we would have completely rebranded and remodeled Oshodi from a decadent situation to an iconic state. The crime rate in this area will be drastically reduced, if not eliminated.

“In addition, a shopping mall covering over two hectares will be situated in the old Mosafejo settlement. This mall will comprise recreation, entertainment; the new Oshodi bus terminal will be delivered with a Public-Private Partnership, PPP arrangement. This model allows the effective allocation of tasks and risks in the development of the interchange and also ensures that finance can be easily obtained for the project,” he explained.

He said the regeneration of the Oshodi interchange would definitely redefine the economic outlook of the area, as government’s goal was to make every nook and cranny of Lagos economically viable.

Mr. Abiodun Otuola, Managing Director, Translink Capital Development Limited, the developer of the project disclosed that the commencement date for the project would be June 1, 2016 and that the project would be completed within 13 months, adding that the cost of the project is $70 million.

May 24, 2016