Owners of properties and structures on the Oke Adu Agodi-Gate-Idi Ape-Iwo Road Interchange have been assured of professionalism as the demolition and expansion of the road begins.
Commissioner for Works and Transport Wasiu Oladimeji Dauda said this at a stakeholders’ meeting with the owners of affected structures at the Ibadan North-East secretariat, Iwo Road, Ibadan.
Dauda said: “The Abiola Ajimobi administration has the interest of citizens at heart.
“The project is to fulfill the governor’s second term promises in ensuring that major link roads within Ibadan and major towns are expanded, reconstructed and rehabilitated.
He appealed to owners of properties and structures not to allow individual benefits override general benefits.
Tag: residents
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Oyo assures residents of fairness
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Group seeks accommodation for residents
The Southern Nigeria Peoples Mandate has appealed to Anambra State and Federal Governments to resolve the accommodation problem of more than 100 persons displaced by the February 15 tanker fire in Onitsha.
The group’s President, Mr. Augustine Chukwudum, who made the plea in Onitsha, said about 15 families were rendered homeless.
He said they were left with nothing after an articulated vehicle spilled inflammable content near the DMGS Roundabout, which resulted in inferno.
The fire reportedly razed 13 buildings, 15 vehicles, five tricycles and three filling stations.
Chukwudum said such a gesture would bring relief to the affected families, who were rendered homeless.
“The human elements affected by the incident should be given optimal attention.
“These 15 families of more than 100 persons altogether should be given befitting temporary accommodation before any other investigation should continue.
“This is an eye opener for the government to ensure mushroom filling stations are not sited in residential neighbourhood.
“Fuel and gas businesses should be sited away from residential areas, especially densely populated area of Onitsha metropolis.
“We urge public spirited individuals, philanthropists and people who have spare clothes, household items and foodstuffs to assist the displaced persons,’’ he said.
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Residents bemoan increase in kerosene’s price
Enugu residents have bemoaned scarcity and high cost of kerosene, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A NAN correspondent observed the high cost affected families.
NAN reports the product had been out of stock for the past two months.
A filling station manager on Zik Avenue, Mr. Uchenna Ugochukwu, said the product had been out of stock in the last two months.
He said he could not say when the situation would normalise.
Another petrol station manager on Agbani Road, Mr. Philip Emordi, said the price had reduced when compared to what it was in December when Kerosene was sold for N500 per litre.
He hoped the price will reduce when the product is available.
“Buyers are worried over scarcity and increase, as the situation has affected families,” Emordi said.
A resident, Mrs. Ijeoma Ofor, said she could not afford the product due to the hike in price, adding that she had resorted to charcoal.
Her words: “Kerosene’s price has gone beyond the reach of the common man.”
Another resident, Mr. John Madu, said it was terrible to buy kerosene between N400 and N450 per litre.
He appealed to the government to make the product available, to alleviate suffering. -
Residents accuse DPO of intimidation
•‘Allegation not true’
SOME residents of Itire in Lagos Mainland have accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of intimidating them because of a woman.
Residents of 10, Araromi Street, Itire, said they have been at the DPO’s mercy following a rift with a co-tenant, Maryam Wahab, described as acquaintance of the DPO.
But the DPO has denied the allegation, accusing the tenants of trying to drag him into their dispute.
The residents, including 49-year-old Mrs. Kemi Labisi, daughter of the 90-year-old landlady, Mrs Claudina Alayande, were remanded in prison for over 10 days, after their arraignment in court.
It all started when Wahab chased away a woman, Lola Kalejaiye, she was harbouring during a scuffle. Kalejaiye was said to have moved her things into the apartment of another neighbour, Seun Arowolo.
But Wahab felt slighted by the action of Arowolo, a make-up artist, who allegedly declined her request for a tattoo on a sensitive part of her body.
According to Arowolo: “the whole thing is strange. Maryam has made our lives impossible for doing nothing to her. I am a make-up artist and I draw tattoos. I am also a hair stylist. But Maryam came to me when I moved into this compound and told me to draw tattoo for her. I wasn’t comfortable with the area she wanted the tattoo and I told her I won’t unless her husband personally told me to go ahead.
“Then, before I moved into this compound, I used to fix Lola’s hair. I have known her before packing into this compound. So, when they had their issues and Lola pleaded with me to keep her bag, I obliged her. I saw no reason to refuse her since she only kept her luggage and went to her friend’s place to stay. Three days later, Lola came and picked some of her things. It was then Maryam saw her and started making trouble.
“She started insulting me and calling me names. I didn’t answer her because I was just coming back from work and I was tired. I entered the house and locked the door. Around 11pm, Maryam started again. By this time, two of my brothers, Tobi and Tolu were at home. She was hitting our door and calling me bastard.
“Tobi went out and asked her to stop hitting the door and to stop the insult but she pushed him. Then, every other occupant of the compound came out, including Mrs. Labisi and told her she was looking for trouble but she didn’t listen. She kept pushing Tobi and insulting our mother.
“At that point, Tobi dragged her from the door and pushed her away. The landlady held Tobi and took him out of the place. We were all outside when one of our neighbours shouted that Maryam has stabbed herself and that she was running. We didn’t know what was happening and I ran after her.
“Then, we discovered she was going to the police station and we followed her there. But on getting there, we were arrested and detained. She lied that we stabbed her, the police didn’t listen to us. They just locked us up. My father came the next day and paid N25,000 for our bail.
“A day after we were granted bail, police came back to the compound and arrested us again. This time, our landlady’s daughter came to bail us and she was detained too because Maryam said she supported us to stab her. That was how we were charged to court and taken to Kirikiri where we spent over 10 days.”
Arowolo added: “We are tired of the harassment. Let the police investigate and find out who is being truthful. Let the Commissioner investigate the DPO and officers at Itire Police Station. We have suffered enough because of her. She has been bragging that we would return to Kirikiri Prison anytime she wants us to go there. That she would show us that she has power and nothing would happen.”
Mrs Labisi, who claimed that five of her dogs were poisoned and died in quick succession, alleged that Wahab has been making life difficult for her family.
She alleged that Wahab was responsible for her dogs’ death, adding that people overheard her saying: “they haven’t seen anything yet, human beings, not dogs would start dying very soon.”
Mrs Labisi said: “That woman is the only headache we have in this compound. She packed in, in August 2015. Since November, it’s been one trouble or the other. She picks quarrel with everyone and when admonished, she runs to the station to fabricate lies.
“I have had to bail myself or my sister on several occasions from the station. There are times I would go to the station to file a complaint against her but I will be arrested. At a point, one of her friends told our neighbour to tell us to take our matter away from Itire Police Stain because she is friendly with the DPO there.
“The problem of last Wednesday started when I was complaining that our dogs are dying anyhow. One of the dogs was vomiting blood before it died and when we called a veterinarian, he said the dogs were poisoned. So, I was said and lamenting bitterly.
“Then, we heard her saying that dogs are dying now, we are complaining. That human beings will soon start dying. That was a serious comment and I started shouting at her for saying that. I accused her that she was the one who was killing our dogs for saying that and she called me a barren woman.
“I went to the station to give a complaint and I met her there. As I got there, I overheard one of the police women telling her to stop intimidating us and that she should pack out of the compound. But because of her relationship with the DPO, that woman said she was told to detain me.
“I heard later that policemen went to the house to check and they saw that her net was not torn as she claimed, neither was there water in her room. Yet I was detained. I got to the station around 12pm and was there till about 8pm before I was released to go home.
“Before that time, the police collected N5,000 from my sister for my bail and told my sister to go and bring money for her own bail because the complainant claimed she also attacked her. They now collected my sister’s phone and told her to bring money to bail the phone.
“But when the DPO’s boss intervened in the matter, he returned the money and phone and asked them to release us. That was how we were released and since then, the police have not come to arrest us again. It has not been easy. We leave in our home in fear.”
Kalejaiye denied any rape attempt on her, saying Arowolo only assisted her to keep her luggage.
Wahab insisted that she was assaulted, claiming that Mrs Labisi and the men always called her prostitute, despite being married.
She said: “They are lying. How could I have stabbed myself? It was Tolu who stabbed me and they all saw it. Mrs. Labisi now told them to go to the station and say that I stabbed myself. All the things they have been accusing me of are lies. They even said I am the DPO’s lover, which is untrue too.
“They accused me that I was the one who killed their dog. What evidence do they have? So many things have been happening in the compound. I even fear for my life staying there. I am tired of the troubles there but I know that God is watching. Lola is the reason for all these problems.” -
Residents, police bicker over driver’s death
Residents of Omi Adio in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, may have a showdown with the police, following the death of a commercial driver, Tirisimiyu Oladosu, a few metres to a police check point on the Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway.
Security has been strengthened around the station to prevent a break down of law and order.
An eyewitness said the accident occurred about noon on Saturday.
“The victim was crushed to death by an oncoming commercial bus with registration number Lagos AKD 07 XP.
“The deceased parked his bus with registration number DGB 620 XA by the road and crossed to meet the policemen at the check point .
“As he was returning to his vehicle, an oncoming commercial bus knocked him down. He died on the spot.”
The body was released to the family by the police and has been buried.
Members of the community are blaming the police for the death.
But the police have denied the allegation, saying the accident was not caused by officers.
The spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said: “The accident was not caused by the police. The accident happened after a police stop and search point.
“The victim reportedly parked along the road to check a mechanical fault and was about entering his vehicle when he was knocked down.
“The police assisted in taking him to the hospital. The other driver has been arrested.”
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Residents decry power outage, outrageous bills
Electricity consumers in Auchi, Jattu and South-Ibie in Etsako West Local Government of Edo State have decried epileptic electricity supply and outrageous billing by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
They told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) it crippled economic and social activities.
Mr. Umoru Abu, a resident, said: “BEDC has made life unbearable for us. We cannot operate our businesses due to epileptic electricity supply.”
Another resident, Mr. Aloysius Dumare, condemned estimated monthly billing despite erratic power supply.
He said: “There is no commitment on the part of the distribution company to provide prepaid meters.
“BEDC should do something about our meters because estimated billing is unbearable.”
Mr. Aliu Polycap urged BEDC to improve electricity supply and ensure distribution of prepaid meters.
He enjoined the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to monitor activities and ensure quality service delivery.
BEDC spokesman Caleb Ntem said the company was concerned about people’s plight.
He appealed to consumers for understanding.
Ntem attributed epileptic electricity supply to drop in allocation from the national grid.
He said: “Electricity from the national grid has dropped below 2,000 megawatts. Today, we have 806 megawatts, which is not enough for us to give every consumer 24-hour supply.
“As for prepaid meters, BEDC will soon begin installation for those who have paid.”
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Residents flee as robbers invade community
Residents of Mafowoku Street in Alapere, Lagos Mainland are fleeing their homes after armed robbers held them hostage on Tuesday night, carting away their valuables.
The robbers were said to have stormed the street around 12:30am and went from one building to the other, cutting burglary proofs and breaking doors.
A motorcyclist, Sani Lawan, was said to have sustained a head injury.
It was gathered that the hoodlums succeeded in raiding about seven houses before fleeing around 3:30am when they noticed policemen have arrived the neighbourhood.
Among the compounds raided were 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9, with several phones, laptops, gold jewelleries and money carted away.
The Nation gathered that most of the residents fled the street in the morning for fear of another attack. The criminals were said to have beaten some of their victims, tied up seven security men and locked them inside a guard room, with two armed men watching over them.
According to the residents, the robbers attempted to rape three women in one of the houses.
A banker, Noah Yusuf who said they collected four phones, his wristwatch and a N5,000 cash from his apartment, added that the robbers attempted to rape his wife and her sisters.
He said: “They asked my wife and her sisters to take off their clothes and were about raping them when they heard gunshot from the police. That was how God saved all three women from being raped. They fled my apartment. Escaped through the back fence and landed on the roof of a hotel on Momodu Street. They took their time in robbing us and they were calling themselves MOPOL.
“It took the police about two to three hours to get here but I am still thankful they arrived just in time to stop the robbers from raping my wife and her sisters. The police should be able to fish out the suspects. There should also be regular patrol in this area. It was a terrifying experience.”
A woman, Mrs Taye Ilesanmi said she was praying when they smashed her door, adding that she immediately ended the prayers and faced down.
“They climbed the iron bar holding the water tank and from there, they jumped into the balcony. Then, they broke my door and slapped my 12-year-old daughter. After robbing us of our phones and money, they left my house and went to the next flat. The robbers took their time and I think they are people who know this area very well.”
Another victim who refused to be named called on the police to raid joints and other drinking spots at Agboyi, Campus, Church Street and Ajelogun because the idle boys in the community usually stayed there.
He said the robbers tied and locked security men before they started going from house to house.
Mrs Adebimpe Basiru, Rasidat Fawonle and Funmilola Oni were also dispossessed of their valuables.
Mrs Basiru said they took five phones from her house and N5,000 which her son gave them to stop them from attacking her with their machete.
At Fawonle’s flat, the robbers went away with three mobile phones and undisclosed amount of money, while four phones, laptop, N11,000, gold chain were taken from Oni’s house with her brother assaulted.
“They were four that entered my house. One was short and three of them tall. They wore Jean trousers. They broke in and started saying bring your phones, money, gold, laptops.”
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Residents cut trees in Enugu
Enugu residents have resorted to cutting trees in green verge areas to survive high cost of kerosene.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports a litre of kerosene sells for between N400 and N450 in the metropolis, an over 50 per cent increase.
According to the report, the product is rarely found at filling stations; instead it is sold at black markets.
A NAN correspondent reports trees in green belt zones, especially opposite Okpara Square, have been cut.
Investigation showed some of the trees were burnt down, while others were hewed at odd hours.
The area, dotted with pieces of woods, suggests human activities, but nobody has been arrested.
Sources said investigation had begun.
Environment Commissioner Chief Fidel Ayogu said he was unaware of the development, adding that he will investigate it.
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Residents, police seek end to violence
Worried by the increasing rate of violence in their community, residents of Shogunle in Lagos have held a Stakeholders’ Forum to tackle the problem.
The forum, organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Shogunle Central Branch, was attended by religious, traditional, political and community leaders and security operatives.
Residents suggested how to boost development in the community.
Delivering a lecture titled: ‘A brighter tomorrow: my role, your role’, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, challenged the community to be accommodating irrespective of their differences.
The Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) explained that many communities were not developing in Lagos State because of their leaders’ greed.
He said: “For any community to develop, the leaders have great roles to play. They must be able to correct anomalies and shun violence. Good community leaders are not greedy; they are transparent and do not toy with their integrity,” he said.
Shogunle’s Divisional Police Officer, Nucy Abibo, urged the residents to report any form of criminal activity.
She explained that there would be better security in the community, if residents provide adequate information.
“The era of being scared of revealing information to the police has passed. We should be free to provide necessary information to the police and I can assure you that it will be treated with utmost secrecy and your safety is guaranteed,” he said.
Shogunle Central Community Development Association Vice-Chairman, Alhaji M. A. Olawoyin, said: “Let join hands to rid the area of immoralities.”
Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Chairman, Shogunle Unit, Revd Agbakwuru Kelvin, urged community leaders to be upright.
MSSN Shogunle Central Branch president Yusuff Okewale, said: “There is no gainsaying that our society is plagued by numerous anomalies. These trends have not ceased as they continue to grow at an alarming rates.
Examples abound from infrastructural decay to vices, such as gambling, stealing, armed robbery, and hooliganism – all of which will rob us of development,” he added. -
Lawmaker empowers residents
As part of efforts to cushion the effects of the current economic recession, the Senator representing Ondo Central District, Chief Tayo Alasoadura has provided various empowerment facilities for the people of his constituency. The aim was to make them become economically self-reliant.
Alasoadura’s supporters in the three local government areas of Akure South, Ifedore and Akure North benefitted from the phase one of the empowerment scheme.
However, the remaining three local government areas namely Ondo East, Idanre and Ondo West would benefit from the empowerment programme during the phase two of the scheme in few weeks’ time.
Among the items distributed were 11 assorted cars, 20 tricycles, 228 motorcycles, 89 grinding machines, 24 automatic sewing machines and 68 manual sewing machines and N2 million cash.
Besides, Alasoadura granted scholarship to five post-graduates and PhD students who are studying petroleum-related courses in various universities.
Speaking at the event, the lawmaker said the gesture was informed by his commitment to reduce the effect of the harsh economic conditions that Nigerians are experiencing.
He said: “Regardless of what has happened in the past, our government has the responsibility of cushioning the effects of the past bad governance which affected our people.”
Senator Alasoadura, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) said it was the situation that motivated him to contribute his quota towards assuaging the sufferings of his constituents and to appreciate their loyalty and support.
He said the next phase of the programme would focus more on vocational and trade empowerment that would teach the people the art of catching the ‘proverbial fish’ after touching the remaining three local governments of Idanre, Ondo East and Ondo West with similar empowerment.
At the event, both the governor-elect, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) state Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke praised Senator Alasoadura’s generosity.
They described the Senator as a grassroots politician who has been impacting on the life of his supporters and others in many ways. They urged him not to relent.
Beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme were advised to make good use of the facilities in order to lift their respective families from the present hardship.
The beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation to Senator Alasoadura for his kindness, promising to give him their support at all times.