The Nation Newspaper

Tag: residents

  • Road construction excites Epe residents

    A Ray of hope is on the horizon for Epe,the big Lagos State riverine community.

    Last week, the state government appointed Messrs Granebury Construction to handle road expansion and rehabilitation in  Epe. The contractor is expected to mobilise to site any moment to kick off the first phase of the job.

    The roads slated for rehabilitation are categorised into two: A and B. Unnder Category A, which are to be completed next year, are Lagos Road, Oke Osho/T Junction, Aiyetoro/ Roundabout; Central Mosque Junction/Orita Marun Stream. Category B comprises Oloja Estate; Bature/ Otunba Adeniyi/Omotayo/Uthman Mustapha and Raman/Ishawu Owolabi.

    However, due to the scope of the project, which will affect some properties, and also require the securing of right of way, officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, have held a meeting with the community.

    The meeting, tagged: “Stakeholders meeting on the rehabilitation of strategic/arterial/inner roads in Epe Local government,” was attended by traditional rulers, women groups, youth groups, property owners, businessmen and lawmakers from the area. They agreed that the projects should be executed without hindrance.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, explained that the meeting became imperative because some properties that fall on the Right of ways (ROAs) would need to give way for the project. Johnson further explained that as a responsible government, it would not want to take her citizens for granted or put them through any hardship for no reason. And to serve as a palliative, Johnson assured that there would be  proper enumeration to ensure that those to be affected by the project  are compensated..

    “We, therefore, solicit for the understanding and cooperation of all residents, especially, those whose properties will be affected. We realise that this temporary inconveniences will soon give way to all the conceivable comfort that the project, when completed, will bring to the entire community,” Johnson pleaded.

    The traditional ruler of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, assured of the community’s support for the project. Besides, he explained that with Epe now playing host to several monumental economic development projects sited within its domain, the people had no option than to throw their full support behind the State government.

    “We have Lagos Free Trade Zone, the proposed airport, fertiliser plant by Dangote Groups and others like that. At the end of the day, it is Epe that would benefit most,” Oba Animashaun said.

    Similarly, the Oba of Noforija community, Babatunde Ogunlaja, assured the contractor of enjoying a molest-free engagement during the construction. He urged parents to warn their children to desist from being used to hinder the project.

    “We don’t want the Governor to regret coming to our division with this laudable project. Let us all join hands to ensure that it is successfully completed and in good time,”  the monarch said.

    The Managing Director, SEGSON Nigeria Limited, Pastor Segun Ogunade, who is also a member of the community, appealed to the youth not to see the project as means of exploitation, but rather one that would be beneficial to all.

    ‘’But for a project of this magnitude, it becomes imperative that suitable alternative roads be put in place. This was why the women group called for the immediate rehabilitation of some road portions along Epe-Temu, Imota Agbowa and Isiu axis where there are craters and potholes. Specifically, they want the deplorable state of the road leading from the town to IKorodu to be addressed immediately.

    “We are traders going to Mile 12, daily to purchase our goods, but the condition of the road is appalling. On several occasions, trucks, in the process of trying to avoid potholes, would face un-coming vehicles, which is very dangerous. We plead with the government to, as matter of urgency, patch the affected spots,” Mrs. Khadijat Ibiyemi, one of the women leaders, appealed.

    The Chairman, House Committee at the Lagos State of Assembly, Mr. Biodun Tobun, appealed that the compensation should be paid effortlessly, urging that builders, youths and artisans in  the community be involved the project by the contractor.

  • Residents beg Ambode to repair their roads

    Residents beg Ambode to repair their roads

    An appeal has been made to the Lagos State Government to include the Adewale Adegun–Isale Haruna Road, in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, in its priority list of roads to be rehabilitated this year.

    The Chairman of Ifako Harmony Estate Community Development Association (IHECDA) Mr Tunde Akinwumi made the appeal while taking reporters round the two roads rehabilitated by the Community Development Association (CDA).

    He said the Adewale Adegun Road, which traversed Karaole Estate is critical because it links with Isale Haruna and could take traffic off the newly expanded College Road for motorists going to Ogba in Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    He said former Governor Babatunde Fashola, in July last year, directed Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), to rehabilitate the road, wondering why the order was not obeyed.

    He said his CDA, in conjunction with Karaole CDA had written to Governor Akinwumi Ambode concerning the development, but nothing has been forthcoming.

    He said: “The Adewale Adegun Road falls squarely within the purview of the mandate of the state government because it would lead to Isale Haruna and through it to another council area, Ojodu LCDA.

    Sometime in July last year, when Governor Babatunde Fashola paid a condolence visit to the widow of our former Chairman Kunle Alex Fadipe, he had directed the Public Works Corporation to work on the road and PWC men came, but soon abandoned the project. We have written to the present governor to revisit the road and we hope it would be given priority in this year’s budget.”

    Akinwumi said the IHECDA, through contributions and levies by residents, spent about N4 million in rehabilitating two major roads–the first being Sowemimo Street (which was a 140 square metres stretch) shared

    with the neighbouring Karaole Estate and Harmony Drive (490 square metres long), within Harmony Estate.

    According to him, while Sowemimo Street cost the CDA N2.215 million, rehabilitation of Harmony Drive cost N1.750 million.

    Stating why the CDA took the step in mitigating further deterioration of the roads, Akinwumi, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) said: “We decided to take our destiny in our hands after repeated attempts to get the support of the state and local governments failed. Based on recommendation of some

    experts, we decided to rehabilitate some strategic roads that were common to us. So, we embarked on total rehabilitation of the Sowemimo Street which was in Karaole Estate, and when we finished that, we

    moved into our estate, where we decided to complete the Harmony Drive from where a resident, who had donated the road several years ago, left it off. We completed the entire stretch of the road.”

    He said the CDA, under his leadership, intend to ensure that all inner roads within the estate is tarred in the next two years, urging residents to continue to support the good works of members of the executive through prompt payments of their levies and dues.

    “As far as we are concerned, we would continue to spend whatever money we got judiciously to advance the cause of the estate,” he further stated.

    Akinwumi, therefore, urged politicians to ensure that they deliver services to the people on whose mandate they rose to position of authority. People should have the value for the taxes and levies they are paying to the government, he said.

    A resident of the estate, Mr Olubusi Odole described the road project as “unimaginable”. He said several times in the past, he had bemoaned his luck, as he usually patronises the mechanics for repairs, adding that with the road repaired, that would reduce.

    Another resident, Mr Kunle Fadipe praised the CDA leadership for taking the estate to a new high. His successful execution of the road project without any hitch and inconvenience is a testimony to the power of leadership and integrity.

    A trader who identified herself as Mummy Tomiwa said she was particularly pleased with the completion of rehabilitation work on the Harmony Drive, adding that the topography of the area had badly damaged the earth road before the executive moved in. She further said that with the repair, the pains and worries of residents living in the area have largely been abated.

     

  • Group donates gifts to Agege residents

    Officials of Annmom Foundation for Mothers’ Welfare (AFMW) have donated food items to residents of Agege in Lagos.

    Director of Media Publicity & Strategy Sunday Onyewonsa said the gesture became necessary because of the need to be one’s “brother’s keeper”.

    “The Yuletide is a period when men of goodwill show love to fellow men, especially the less privilege.

    “One of the cardinal objectives of the group is to care for poor mothers and children across the globe.

    “We chose Agege because of the poor. Earlier before Christmas, we were at Idi-Araba in Mushin to share food items, clothing, shoes and umbrellas to residents.

    “We intend taking our campaign to West Africa during the year. We are also working to help IDPs in the Northeast to complement the Federal Government’s efforts,” he said.

  • Lagos residents complain of incessant use of fireworks

    Lagos residents complain of incessant use of fireworks

    Some residents of Lagos on Friday expressed bitterness over the incessant use of fireworks, which they alleged, were causing them sleepless nights during the New Year celebration.

    The residents in separate interviews told NAN that it was a violation of their fundamental human rights for some people, under the guise of celebrating the New Year, marred their own peaceful family time.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, reports that the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, had ordered the ban on the use of fireworks and any form of carnival during the Yuletide.

    Mrs Opeyemi Awosika, a banker and resident at Abule-Egba, a suburb of Lagos, said that the fireworks prevented her from gaining access to her street when she got home at 9 p.m.

    “I got to my street at about 9.00 p.m. and the noise from the fireworks, especially the knockout, was so much and deafening that I had to park my car and called my gate man before I could gain access,’’ she said.

    Another banker and a resident of the same area, Mr Oladapo Adeniji, said that he had to call the boys, using the fireworks, to order before they allowed him drive peacefully to his gate.

    “But no sooner than I had passed than they started throwing the fireworks again.

    “I am not saying they should not celebrate but it is wrong when they use their celebration to disturb the peace of others,’’ Adeniji said.

    A lady, who simply gave her name as Madam Agnes and resides at Oke-Odo, another suburb of Lagos, also said that she the threatening noise from the fireworks prevented her from attending a planned crossover vigil.

    “I had planned to attend a church for the crossover service but I had to change my mind when I started hearing the sounds of the fireworks.

    “At first, I thought it was gunshots because it was very loud but I later discovered that it was firework.

    “This made me to change my mind and I told my children that we should do our prayers indoor as it is dangerous to go in the midst of fireworks,’’ she said.

    Mr Michael Abiri, a lawyer who resides at Agege area of Lagos, told NAN that the use of knockouts had reduced when compared to 2014 Yuletide.

    He, however, advised the police to ensure that it enforced the law banning the sales of fireworks in the state.

    “It is an infringement on a person’s fundamental human rights when a person’s celebration is disturbing the other. That is unlawful,’’ he said.

    According to Abiri, it is when the sale of fireworks is curbed that there will be no more demand for it.

    “The defiant users of fireworks should be arrested and prosecuted,’’ he said.

    The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joseph Offor, however, told NAN that the state police command made some arrests.

    He promised to make the numbers of arrests it made public in due course.

  • Residents mourn slain twins, friend

    Residents mourn slain twins, friend

    •Kehinde, Jeje buried
    •Naval men take Taiwo’s body away

    NEIGHBOURS yesterday spoke of the twins and their friend killed by a policeman last Saturday, describing them as easy going, humble and well behaved.

    The residents of Dairo, Anibaba and Ajifemi Streets in Ketu, Lagos, are still in shock over the death of Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle and their friend Goke popularly called Jeje.

    Sympathisers thronged 6, Ajifemi Street, where the twins’ mother, Mrs Beatrice Oyesunle, was taken to.

    It was gathered that Kehinde was buried yesterday; Jeje was interred on Sunday in Ikorodu.

    The body of Taiye, who was an officer, has been taken away by Naval men for burial.

    A resident, who didn’t give his name, said some police officers visited the neighbourhood on Sunday and told the bereaved families that they have found a cemetery in Ikorodu.

    “They called Jeje’s sister on Sunday and she accepted that her brother should be buried that day. I doubt if the twins’ family agreed. It was just yesterday that Kehinde was buried,” he said.

    The twins, aged 34, hailed from Oro in Kwara State and their friend, Goke, who was from Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, were bachelors.

    Speaking with The Nation, the twins’ sister, Mrs Modupe Adeosun, said her brothers were the last born of the family adding that since their elder brother, who was a lecturer in Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, got missing 10 years ago, the twins became closer to their mother.

    “Mama just returned to Lagos last month because she has been with me in Abuja since the death of our father and immediately she returned, she went to my younger sister’s place where she spent three weeks as she still can’t stay alone. She was still recovering from the loss of her husband before this incident happened. What can we do? I heard the Commissioner of Police was in our area yesterday to check the scene of the incident but he couldn’t visit our mother,” she said.

    Mr Segun Shodunke, an-in-law to the Oyesunles, said the twins’ demise is still a shock because they contributed a lot to the family.

    He said: “I have been married to their sister for over 10 years and we have been like a family. They have been catering for the welfare of the three children their brother left behind. Mama left my place three weeks ago. We have nothing to tell the police but the government should know the right thing to do because Mama is aged and all she needs now is comfort.”

    A neighbour said Kehinde, on Saturday charged his laptop in his shop before he left for the hotel.

    “It wasn’t up to 30minutes someone told me they killed some guys at Anibaba. I was reluctant to go but when I eventually did, I almost collapsed. My body was cold and I didn’t know what to do. I miss them a lot. They were humble people. At times people mistook them for triplets because they did everything together.”

    A resident, Muftau Onikolu, this Yuletide is the worst in his life.

    He said: “I met the twins and Goke five years ago when they came to rent a three- bedroom flat. We have never had any issue with them. Every Yuletide, they take children out for funfair. My children are sad; my wife has not been able to eat because we lost great minds. No one is rejoicing. A neighbour just had a child yesterday and he couldn’t inform anyone because he is sad. I know how the child’s naming would have been like if these men were alive. This is indeed a cruel world.”

    Mack Motors, at the former toll gate, where Kehinde worked as an engineer and assistant secretary, was desolate yesterday when The Nation visited.

    The security guard, Nasiru Yusuf, said the workers went for Kehinde’s funeral.

    “It is shocking. Kenny was in the office on Saturday before he said he was going home that afternoon. He was full of life. It is now I believe things happen within seconds. That hotel needs to be destroyed because I learnt the sergeant has been harassing people for a while,” he said.

    A motorcyclist, simply identified as Geofrey, said the police were brought to Anibaba Street because of incessant robbery.

    He said: “Whenever police officers are in uniform, they misbehave and forget they are meant to protect lives. Their men need to be properly checked. Very early, a police officer is drunk and I wonder how they will save lives. It is unfair.”

     

     

  • Ban El-Zakzaky’s sect, Zaria residents beg FG

    Ban El-Zakzaky’s sect, Zaria residents beg FG

    Some residents of Zaria, Kaduna State, and neighbours of the leader of the Shi’ite sect, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, yesterday launched a campaign to get the group banned.

    Citing alleged hardship caused them by members of the sect over the last 20 years, the Zaria residents said they have had enough.

    Their spokesperson,  Alhaji Idris Mohammed Baba, told reporters in Kaduna that Shi’ite members routinely hold  people in Zaria and Sabon Gari local government areas of the state hostage  and tend to run  a parallel government in the country.

    They claimed that last May, the sect declared 24 youths persona non grata for challenging their activities in Gyellesu community where Zakzaky resides.

    According to him, “My experience with Shiite followers is disastrous and terrible. At a point Shi’ite boys threatened to kill me. We are happy over the military action against Shi’ites movement in Zaria because we have fresh air now blowing in our areas.”

    He added, “As a community, we wrote letters to the government  about the  activities of Shi’ites but no single action was taken. We no longer report Shi’ites to police because they will never honour police or security invitation.

    “These Shi’ites are an authority unto themselves; they don’t respect the authorities, the  security agencies and so on.

    “We are Muslims but we discovered that   Shi’ites activities are contrary to Islam. They carry dangerous weapons and openly molest innocent people in our areas. Human rights groups should also look into our pains by the   sect members.”

    Also speaking, another resident, Alhaji Saidu Garba, said  the activities of  the sect have crippled the once booming economy of the area.

    He said: “After  El-Zakzaky was released from detention in 1999,he came and settled in Gyallesu. Since then there is no peace in our area. We thank Allah for touching the heart of government and the military for liberating us from Shi’ites untold hardship.”

  • 500,000 residents cry out over ‘looming epidemic’ in Iponri

    No fewer than 500,000 residents of Iponri Low-Cost Housing Estate in Surulere, Lagos Mainland, yesterday appealed to the government to save them from a “looming epidemic.”

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the sewage plant that drains dirty water from the soak-away of more than 400 housing units in the estate had been disconnected by Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) because of unpaid bills.

    The non-functioning of the plant, they said, had resulted into flooding of the estate by dirty water from the soakaway, causing stench.

    Iponri Housing Estate Residents’ Association, President Abdul-Rasak Osho told NAN that the plant constructed by the Lagos State Government is being maintained by the Ministry of the Environment.

    He said: “The residents noticed that the sewage plant stopped working about three months ago. We met the engineer-in-charge who told us that the power supply to the plant had been disconnected because the state government is owing EKEDC.

    “We bought diesel for them to power the plant but it was exhausted within just five hours. We have appealed to EKEDC to restore the power supply but it said it would not do so until the Lagos State Government pays its debt.

    “The sewage plant has been under the government care since we bought flats in this estate and government has not told us that it can no longer maintain it.

    “Presently, the dirty water has flooded everywhere in the estate. We cannot even pass some routes now because of the flood,” he said.

    Osho appealed to the government to offset the bill so that EKEDC would restore power supply to the sewage plant and safe the estate from impending epidemic.

    The association’s Secretary-General, Francis Odukoya, said the group had written several letters to the Ministry of the Environment over the matter.

    The government, he said, had not replied.

    He said: “We have written about four letters to the Commissioner for the Environment as I am speaking to you now. They built the sewage plant for the estate and they have been servicing it for us for more than 30 years now, they should not relent on their efforts.

    “They should come to our rescue before the residents of the estate start to contract diseases because this odour is terrible.”

    Mrs Alake Oshodi, a old widow, living in Flat 103, told NAN that one of her granddaughters took ill recently and was admitted in hospital. She blamed the illness on the dirty water and bad odour.

    NAN correspondent could not speak with the engineer in charge of the plant because the entrance was locked.

  • Save us from police, residents urge lawmakers

    Save us from police, residents urge lawmakers

    THE police have been accused of harassing; intimidating and arresting some Lagos Island residents with the connivance of hoodlums.

    Scores of the residents stormed House of Assembly at Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday, protesting what they called the “unjustifiable action”.

    Executive Secretary of Concerned Citizens for True Justice Prince Adedamola Adele Shonibare, who led the protesters, said the problem started last year, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) Assistant Youth Leader on Lagos Island, Azzez Ashake was shot dead by some People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agents.

    “We reported the matter at the Central Police Station in Lagos. The principal suspect was arrested and was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti. The Panti Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Gbenga Adeyanju, took over the matter and within a short time, the suspect was released despite the intervention of Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos.

    “The hoodlums have been terrorising us for a long time. They have injured and maimed many people in the area.

    “About a month ago, we discovered that an officer in connivance with a woman started harassing, intimidating and persecuting innocent people to make an avenue for the gang to come back to the community.

    “The community did not banish anybody, but the offence they committed is driving them away. The moment they come back to the community, the law would take its course. Nobody will attack them, but they must be arrested by the police and prosecuted.

    “The police are harassing, intimidating and arresting innocent members of the community because the Area Commander knows that the law must take its course. In fact, the area commander invited me to his office on three occasions to plead that I should help him persuade the community to allow some people back to the community,” he said.

    Shonibare claimed that he met with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase in Abuja, adding that the IG referred him to the Deputy Inspector of Police (DIG), Finance and Administration, who promised to look into the matter.

    He added that he met with the IGP again in Lagos last week, adding that the police chief promised to look into the matter.

    Shonibare claimed that some traditional chiefs do not want those arrested indiscriminately released.

    Another resident, Mrs Fausat Lawan, alleged that PDP agents were causing problem in the area, adding that they destroyed her properties, wounded her and abducted her son.

    “People should help me. They also injured my daughter-in-law and they have been making life difficult for us,” she said.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa assured the protesters that the issue would be addressed.

    “We have seen your petition, but don’t cause any trouble. We were not there when these things were happening, but we will take the necessary steps on the matter.

    “The government would not allow anybody to suffer. We will punish whoever is guilty, and the person would be dealt with based on the judgment of the court,” he said.

    The House, he said, would ensure the release of those unjustly arrested.

  • Residents demand water, roads, jobs at town hall meeting

    Potable water, rehabilitation of roads and schools, insecurity, provision of street light, employment opportunities, flooding/erosion menace and the need for proper drainage were the major demands by residents when members of the Lagos State House of Assembly met their people in some of the 40 state constituencies of the state.

    At Lagos Mainland 2 Constituency, a constituent complained that the boreholes provided by the government at Iwaya-Yaba does not supply water, while pleading that the government should provide tricycle and motor cycles for ‘Areas Boys’ to get them engaged and reduce their menace in the society.

    In Somolu 2 Constituency, the Oba of Bariga, Oba Gbolahan Timson lamented the poor state of inner roads in the area, urging the government to quickly make available large car park to ensure that available roads were made free for vehicular traffic. He also requested for the establishment of markets in the area.

    At Eti Osa 1 Constituency, the constituents requested for primary/ secondary schools, transformers, security within the estates, small and medium-scale loan for their businesses, cemetery for the Muslim, health facility, roads and drainage to prevent flooding, law against drug and child abuse within the constituent.

    The theme of the stakeholders’ meeting was “Towards a Better Constituency Engagement”, and was designed to educate constituents on the duties of the legislators and what the constituents expect from their representatives.

    Addressing his constituents at Agege 1 Constituency,  Speaker Mudashiru Obasa revealed that the outcome of the meetings would be a major determinant of the direction the 2016 Budget will take, adding that it is the Assembly’s desire to deepen the democratic culture as well as facilitate participatory governance in the state.

    Talking to his people in Somolu 2 Constituency, Chief Whip, Hon. Rotimi Abiru said the parley was also aimed at deepening democracy, assuring that all the complaints and suggestions made by constituents would be addressed with the appropriate authorities, just as he assured that the Palmgroove-Pedro Road now under construction would be completed by the end of the year as the needed fund has since been released.

    Also addressing his constituents at Eti Osa 1 constituency, Kazeem Alimi said the assembly had always welcome the people’s opinions to develop the state. He promised them quality representation from him and urged them to help, support and participate with him in making  Eti Osa a better place.

    The lawmakers promised to make sure that all the demands are worked on and forwarded to the executive so that it can be captured in the next budget.

    Speaking on the activities of the current Assembly, the lawmakers said, since June 15 when the 8th Assembly was inaugurated, it has passed 28 resolutions “covering a broad range of socio-economic, political and other issues pertaining to the welfare of Lagosians, the progress of the state and the nation as a whole. We have settled communal clashes, played the Ombudsman’s role while not neglecting several petitions referred to us for mediation and resolutions.

     

  • Lagos tasks residents on proper waste water management

    Lagos tasks residents on proper waste water management

    The Lagos State Government yesterday warned residents that anybody caught contravening the laws guiding disposal of waste water in the state would henceforth face wrath of the law.

    The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Samuel Adejare, made this known at a sensitisation forum on waste water management in Agege area of the state.

    The forum had “Waste Management: Perfecting the Natural Resources” as its theme.

    Adejare noted that the negative attitude of the average Lagosian to waste water management posed a challenge to the implementation of the government’s development plan in the sector.

    He said government was determined to build on existing infrastructure to recycle waste water.

    According to him, the Lagos State Waste Water Masterplan which covers the years 2015 to 2040 has immediate, medium and long term intervention and strategies to address the challenges in the sector.

    In a lecture, Professor Ezekiel Longe of the University of Lagos, pointed out that 80 per cent of residents drew water from the underground water body which had been contaminated through years of waste water mismanagement.

    Longe, an expert in water resources, identified consumption of contaminated water as being responsible for the prevalence of diseases such as typhoid as well as dysentery, among Nigerians.

    He explained that prolonged consumption of such water might lead to organ damage and cancer.