The Nation Newspaper

Tag: power-bikes

  • Lagos donates 30 power bikes to security agencies

    Lagos donates 30 power bikes to security agencies

    The Lagos State Government yesterday donated 30 power bikes to some security agencies operating in the state.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said at the handing-over of the bikes at the Lagos House, Ikeja, that the gesture was in line with the government’s commitment to boost security and enhance safety of lives and property.

    He said the donation of the bikes was in fulfilment of his promise to prioritise the security of residents and ensure that no stone was left unturned to protect the people of the state.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said security, being one of the tripods upon which his administration was built, would continue to be accorded its pride of place.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the power bikes were funded by the Lagos State Lotteries Board and donated to the Police Command in the State.

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) were also beneficiaries.

    Ambode said the power bikes would enhance the job of the security agencies of securing lives and property of residents.

    Earlier, the Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr Oye Hassan-Odukale, commended Ambode for the donation, saying it came barely two months after he promised to procure more bikes for security agencies.

    Hassan-Odukale said the bikes would go a long way in preventing crimes, enhancing security and ensuring residents’ safety.

    He expressed optimism that the equipment would be put into good use.

    Hassan-Odukale called on corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals to team up with the government to procure more equipment for security agencies in the overall interest of the people.

    Receiving the power bikes on behalf of security agencies, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, commended the State Government for the gesture.

    Edgal said the bikes would greatly help security personnel to pursue criminals, especially those operating in traffic.

    “Power bikes are essential for hot pursuits of criminals. Power bikes in line with the visibility clause in community policing also establishes police and other agencies’ visibilities on our streets and highways.

    “That is how important these power bikes are in fighting crime in Lagos and I want to assure the governor and the good people of Lagos that we will put the bikes to good use,” the police chief said.

    In their separate remarks, LASTMA General Manager Olawale Musa, his LASEMA counterpart, Mr Adeshina Tiamiyu and the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Olatunji Disu lauded the government’s initiative.

    They also expressed optimism that the bikes would help to prevent and to fight crime in emergency situations.

  • ‘Fayose got Range Rover, power bikes on credit’

    ‘Fayose got Range Rover, power bikes on credit’

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose got a Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) valued at N41.4 million and two power bikes valued at N13.8 million on credit, a witness told the Judicial Commission of Enquiry investigating state finances between 2010 and 2014.

    A Brand Manager at Coscharis Motors Limited, Mr. Justin Ngele, who testified before the panel at yesterday’s sitting, said Fayose got the Autobiography model of the Range Rover on September 9, 2015.

    Ngele recalled that while the governor paid for the Range Rover, he was yet to pay for the two power bikes, which he said were delivered on July 13, 2015.

    The brand manager, who was led in evidence by lawyer to Coscharis, Mr. Peter Jiya, said the two power bikes, which were used by the governor’s outriders, were supplied at N6.8 million each.

    The witness said his firm supplied 156 units of various brands of Coscharis vehicles valued at N1,284,159,000, based on an oral agreement with the Kayode Fayemi administration.

    Ngele, who was led in evidence by lawyer to Coscharis Motor, Peter Jiya, said the company sealed the deal based on the trust it had for the state government.

    The brand manager said there was a letter of award by the state government on the purchase of additional 59 units of vehicles, which the company later supplied.

    He added that of the 235 vehicles supplied between 2013 to 2014, N1.449 billion had been paid, leaving a balance of N459 million being owed the company.

    But in his statement on oath, a witness from the Ministry of Local Government, Mr Samuel Akinjide, said the ministry received an invoice of N1,284,159,000 from the state government for 156 Ford Range of vehicles.

    Akinjide said the ministry was mandated to finance the purchase of the 154 Ford Range vehicles, which were for traditional rulers.

    The witness said even before the state government gave the directive, the then Commissioner for Finance, Mr Vincent Kolawole, had received the 156 vehicles.

    He added: “Coscharis Motors, on May 2, 2014, requested for payment in respect of 235 vehicles, instead of the 156 units the ministry was directed to purchase.”

    Akinjide said the local governments were to settle the debt on equal basis even though they did not solicit for it.

    He said: “The General Administration Department (GAD) and the Ministry of Finance have been contacted but they all claimed ignorance of the purchase.”

    The panel adjourned sitting till September 8 to enable Coscharis Motors present the original documents as evidence to be tendered because it rejected the photocopies supplied by the company’s lawyer.

  • FRSC lauds Ambode, firm for donating patrol vehicles, power bikes

    The Lagos State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Hyginus Omeje has praised Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for making the safety of Lagosians a priority to his administration.

    He said Ambode had been supporting the FRSC since he assumed office.

    Omeje also hailed other stakeholders for their collaboration throughout the last year.

    He said the Command, ahead of last year’s ember period, received a donation of three Toyota Hillux pickup for patrol from the Lagos State Government, three power bikes from Agbami Co-Venturers and 10 Peugeot 301 patrol cars from the FRSC Headquarters.

    The donations, Omeje noted, as well as the rigorous sensitisation and awareness campaigns on the implementation of speed limiting devices and tyre safety, helped the Command to record low incidents of crashes during the season.

    He spoke at the Foursquare Church, Ogba, Lagos when he led other officers to the church for road safety campaigns and 29 years anniversary of the Corps.

    Omeje said the thanksgiving was imperative for the staff of the Corps as God had been faithful to them by guarding and protecting them on the road.

    According to him, most of their time was spent on the road both day and night but God protected them and the families they left at home.

    He appealed to commercial vehicle owners to cooperate with the Corps by installing speed limiters in their vehicles.

    Omeje urged road users to consider safety precautions while on the road, and encouraged his officers to continue abstain from all forms of indiscipline.

     

  • Govt gives VIS vehicles, power bikes

    Lagos State Government yesterday donated 20 power bikes, 25 pick-up vans and 11 cars to the Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS).

    Making the presentation at the VIS yard in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Acting Commissioner for Transportation Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi said it was designed to strengthen the VIS’ capacity for optimal service delivery.

    Elegushi said the present administration would continue to provide equipment for road infrastructure renewal to meet the various challenges of the transportation sector.

    The commissioner hoped the vehicles and power bikes would enhance the VIS’ performance and also promote motorists’ and commuters’ safety.

    Elegushi enjoined VIS personnel to use the items well.

    VIS Director Abdulhafiz Toriola urged motorists to maintain their vehicles to reduce road carnage.

  • Minister bans power-bikes

    Power bikes are no more welcome at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – no thanks to the bomb that killed 23 people and injured over 53.

    FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed directed the Police Commissioner to prosecute any person illegally using power bikes and motorcycles.

    The directive, according to a statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule which was conveyed to the FCT Police Commissioner via a letter dated June 27, 2014 but signed by the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu, reminded him that the ban on the use of power bikes and motorcycles in the FCT was still in force.

    The minister said the reminder is underscored by the fact that one of the suspects in the recent bombing at the Emab Plaza, Wuse II District Abuja was seen on a power bike by security agents.

    The minister further directed that all security personnel using motorcycles should obtain permits from the FCT Commissioner of Police and the FCT Transportation Secretariat; in addition the officer should be properly kitted in their uniform and helmet.

    According to the letter, the intention of the FCT Administration is to, as a matter of urgency; evolve necessary bye-laws and security protocols that will indicate minimal security requirements in private and public institutions as well as other congregational locations in the Federal Capital Territory for compliance and enforcement.

    The administration, the minister said, will also embark on “know-your-neighbour campaign” as a strategy to promote neighbourhood security awareness among residents.