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Tag: Sanai Agunbiade

  • Lagos Assembly resumes from three-week recess

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday resumed plenary without deliberations on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s 2019 budget proposal.

    The lawmakers commenced a three-week recess on December 18, 2018 for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

    The House which resumed on Monday, failed to discuss any issue before adjourning to Thursday, Jan. 10, due to its inability to form a quorum.

    The session was presided over by the Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu Constituency I.

    Lagos State Government on January 3 said it had already presented to the house an N852. 317 billion budget proposal for 2019.

    The government had been criticized for not keeping to its tradition of presenting its annual budget before the beginning of a new year.

    Read Also: Agbaje faults appointment of new Lagos HOS

    But, in a statement on Jan. 3, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Olusegun Banjo, explained that the 2019 budget was already before the State House of Assembly and was intended to be read on Dec. 24, 2018.

    Banjo said that Ambode had also sent a verbal message on his intention to present the budget on December 24, 2018, after the State Executive Council had approved it on Dec. 19, 2018

    “But the ceremony was postponed as the House was on recess and could not form a quorum,” Banjo said.

    He explained that in order to meet the traditional presentation, a formal letter was also sent to the House on Dec.ember28, 2018, forwarding the contents of the budget.

    “It is expected that when the House reconvenes, the Speaker would inform members of the budget proposal sent by the governor and take the necessary action,” Banjo added.

    Meanwhile when the house resumed plenary on Monday, it only sat to adjourn.

    Mr Moshood Oshun, the Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts (State), moved the motion for adjournment while Mr Segun Olulade, representing Epe II seconded the motion.

    NAN

  • Lagos Assembly tasks Ambode on menace of drug abuse

    calls for aggressive campaign

    Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary on Monday passed a resolution calling on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and relevant stakeholders to embark on aggressive campaigns against the menace of drug abuse.

    The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Desmond Elliot who represents Surulere constituency 1.

    In the motion titled ‘Need to Curb the Menace of Drug Abuse Among Youths in Lagos State’ Elliot said the adverse effectsl of hard drugs on youths and the society is huge and that there is need to check the trend.

    According to him, youths have formed the habit of using drugs  to get high, perform better in certain situation and to change their perception of reality or for other purposes.

    The drugs, he said includes cocaine, heroin, cannabis, India hemp and seemingly harmless drugs over the counter like cough syrups with codeine, rubber, gum, septic tank fumes, urine concentrates, Colorado, skushi, loud and kerosene gas.

    The motion reads in part, “The House is aware that youths now abuse a combination of these substances with two popular drugs; tramadol and codeine which are commonly used for the treatment of cough and severe pains.

    “The House is concerned that those mostly involved in this practice are unqualified pharmacists, nurses and road side hawkers selling to these young people who consequently commit sexual crimes and other violent acts.

    “This House is worried that this abuse has damning and adverse health effects, which include mental disorder, liver cirrhosis and many socioeconomic consequences like school dropout cultism, armed robbery and other related crimes in the state.

    “The House called on the Chairman, Task Force on Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit to carry out strick enforcement against sale of drugs by road side hawkers,” he said.

    Read Also: Ambode urges association to support govt’s programme

    “The House called on the Pharmaceutical Board to direct its members to restrained from selling drugs particularly those that required prescription over the counter without prescription from qualified physicians.”

    The lawmakers also called on other relevant authorities to wake up to their responsibilities and address issues relating to the sales, distribution circulation of the said drugs and other ones.

    Attributing lack of good parenting as responsible for aggravation and proliferation  of hard drugs among youths, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, (Alimosho 1 constituency) said many had been sent to their early graves because of drugs.

    Hon.Segun Olulade (Epe constituency  2) who seconded the motion, commended the prime mover and urged the House to call on Ambode to expedite action in signing the Mental Health bill into law and ensure the implementation to curb the effect of hard drugs.

    Hon.Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (Mushin constituency I), said the issue should not be taken with levity, saying that the government needed to look into the activities of chemists (licence and unlicensed).

    The Majority Leader,  Hon. Sanai Agunbiade described  drug abuse among youths as “a big threat to the nation”, calling for apprehension of drug addicts and engaging them in Community Service.

    While Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa,  called on artistes to collaborate with the government in the campaign against drugs, urging legislators to embark on advocacy in their respectively constituencies.

    While supporting aggressive campaign and sensitization on the ills of taking hard drugs, Obasa however warned against indiscriminate closure of shops.

  • Lagos Assembly decries traffic jam, urges Ambode to intervene

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday decried the congestion of Sekunmade Road in Ikorodu area of Lagos by heavy duty trucks, urging Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to intervene.

    The House called on Ambode to direct the Commissioner for Transport, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), management of Ipakodo Lighter Terminal to eliminate indiscriminate parking of long vehicles on the road.

    The Assembly also called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to provide where long vehicles would park before they load goods from the terminal.

    The resolution followed a matter raised by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu Constituency 1) and supported by Mr Segun Olulade (Epe Constituency 2) under Matter of Urgent Public Importance on Thursday.

    Agunbiade had condemned the indiscriminate parking of heavy duty trucks on Sekunmade Road, Ikorodu, which he said was one of the two roads leading to Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

    “The road is an important access road to Imota, Ijede and others. The roads around the lighter terminal in Ipakodo have become an eyesore.

    “The long vehicles always block the road and they would be there for days. They don’t even have security light that would prevent accident.

    “That was how it started in Apapa area of Lagos before it became an eyesore,” Agunbiade said.

    The lawmaker said that it was important for the Commissioner for Transport to review the law on movement of vehicles, while also calling on leaders of LASTMA to rise to the occasion on the matter.

    He said that Public Works should be called upon to repair the roads, which had become dilapidated.

    Also speaking, Mr Rotimi Olowo (APC- Somolu I),  noted that Ipakodo Sekumade Road was very strategic to Ikorodu.

    Read Also: Ambode hails union leaders for industrial harmony

    He said that it would not be fair to allow vehicles to block the road.

    Olowo said that companies should be cautioned with the way their vehicles were parked in the area.

    In his contribution, Mr Segun Olulade (APC- Epe II), said that the area was strategic to Epe.

    Mr Nurudeen Saka-Solaja (APC- Ikorodu II) said the road had become waterlogged.

    He said that trailers and containers parked indiscriminately were also causing a lot of problems for the people.

    “What is happening in Sekunmade is not right. There are traffic control officers in Ikorodu West Local Government that can do the job.

    “We should fine anyone that parks vehicles there indiscriminately,”Mr Tobun Abiodun (APC-Epe I) added.

    The Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa,  directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, to communicate the resolution of the House on the matter to Ambode.

  • Lagos Assembly decries congestion at Sekumade, Ikorodu Road

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has decried the congestion at Sekumade Road in Ikorodu area of Lagos caused by heavy duty trucks.
    The House has therefore called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to call on the Commissioner for Transport, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), management of Ipakodo Lighter Terminal to put a stop to indiscriminate parking of long vehicles on the road.
    The Assembly also called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to provide a place where long vehicles would park before they load goods from the terminal.
    Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to get across to the Governor on the resolution of the House on the matter.
    The matter was raised by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu Constituency 1) under Matter of Urgent Public Importance at plenary on Thursday.
    Agunbiade condemned the indiscriminate parking of heavy duty trucks in Sekumade Road, Ikorodu, which he said was one of the two roads that leads to Ikorodu.
    “The road is an important access road to Imota, Ijede and others. The roads around the lighter terminal in Ipakodo has become an eyesore.
    “The long vehicles always block the road and they would be there for days. They don’t even have security light that would prevent accident. That was how it started in Apapa Area of Lagos before it became an eyesore,” he said.
    The Majority Leader stated that it was important that the Commissioner for Transport should review the law on movement of vehicles, while also calling on leaders of LASTMA to rise to the occasion on the matter.

    Read Also: Lagos okays hijab on school uniforms

    He added that Public Works should be called upon to repair the roads, which he said has been destroyed by the long vehicles.
    In his contribution, Hon. Rotimi Olowo said that the Ipakodo Sekumade Road is very important, adding that it would not be fair to allow vehicles to block the road.
    He stated that companies like Dangote should also be cautioned with the way their vehicles are parked in the area and that the matter should be nipped in the bud now.
    Also speaking, Hon. Olusegun Olulade (Epe Constituency 1) said that the area is strategic to Epe, saying that other roads are always blocked, and that Sekumade road that can not contain two vehicles is now totally blocked.
    In his view, Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja (Ikorodu Constituency 2) stated that the road is waterlogged, and that trailers and containers that are parked there are causing a lot of problems for the people.
    Hon. Ibrahim Layode however stated that the people of the area and the state should not be complaining as they always pray for improvement in commercial activities.
    “So we should not be complaining. The problem starts from the government, we wanted light terminals without providing where the trucks would park. We are not doing what would give us money. The law enforcement agencies cannot help matters. The local governments ought to provide parking spaces for the vehicles,” he said.
    Hon. Abiodun Tobun from Epe Constituency 1, in his contribution, suggested that people should not be allowed to do whatever they like in the state.
    “What is happening in Sekunmade is not right. There are traffic control officers in Ikorodu West Local Government that can do the job. We should fine anyone that parks vehicles there indiscriminately. Whoever refuses to do so should have his vehicle impounded,” he said.

  • Lagos Assembly denies planning to impeach Ambode

    Lagos State House of Assembly has denied the rumour going round, both in the social media and regular media, that it was planning to impeach the Governor of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Speaking at plenary on Monday, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said that there was no truth in the rumour.

    Obasa revealed that he had received telephone calls and enquiries from prominent members of the public over the alleged impeachment moves against Ambode.

    According to him, Solidarity Group of Nigeria and a faction of the APC in Lagos State, led by Mr. Fuad Oki had been insinuating that the lawmakers in the state threatened the Governor to open the state treasury for them, and that they threatened to impeach him if he failed to do so.

    “We are not embarking on any impeachment process against the governor now. If there would be an impeachment, it would be from the governor and if there would not be any need for impeachment, it would be from him based on his actions.

    “Even at that, impeachment is constitutional, so many speakers, senate presidents, presidents and others have been impeached all over the world. So, nobody can threaten us if it happens because we are representatives of the people.

    “We don’t need the wailers to guide us in performing our duties. It is not out of place for us to do our job,” he said.

    The Speaker added that if there was going to be an impeachment, It would be done in the open, but that there was nothing like that for now, adding that the people would know if any impeachment against the governor would happen.

    He however, promised that the Assembly was working with the governor to ensure peace and development in the state.

    This was corroborated by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, who stated that the constitutional procedure for impeachment does not harbour secrecy, adding that members of the public would know if it would happen.

    It will be recalled that the Assembly last week ordered the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to direct the operators of Private Sector Participation (PSP) involved in refuse clearing in the state to go back to work.

    The House had also disowned Visionscape that was contracted by Ambode to take over refuse clearing job in the state from the PSP Operators over one year ago.

    It was added that the state government would have to return all the money they have paid to Visionscape and that the heaps of refuse all over the state was an indication that the organisation lacked the capacity to do the job.

  • Tanker Fire: Lagos Assembly to review traffic law

    Movement of long vehicles to be restricted

    Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to restrict the movement of long vehicles in the state to between 9pm and early hours of the day.

    Moving a motion on the matter with reference to the petrol tanker accident that claimed lives and properties along Otedola Estate bridge on Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Berger area on Thursday 28th June, 2018, the Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade called for a review of issues surrounding movement of trailers in the state.

    The Motion was moved by 14 members of the House.

    The House urged the Governor to direct the State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Dipo Lawanson to ensure that long vehicles do not ply the roads in the state until 9pm.

    “The House observed that the fire incident around Otedola Estate Bridge on Thursday 28, June led to avoidable deaths of several people and destroyed many properties.

    “We noticed that the incident was caused by recklessness on the part of the driver, overspeeding, drinking of alcohol amongst others.  It is also observed that many of the drivers do not have driver’s license and many of the vehicles are not road worthy,” he said.

    While commending the Lagos State Government for the rapid response to the incident, the movers of the motion urged the state government to sanction any long vehicle owners that does not obtain necessary papers and ensure road worthiness of their vehicles.

    Agunbiade stated that it was worrisome that long vehicles are parked on Ikorodu Road indiscriminately considering the consequences.

    The House used the opportunity to call on the state Governor to direct the Commissioner for Transportion to provide regulations for the types of vehicles that would ply Lagos roads based on their year of purchase.

    Agunbiade added that the state government should direct all owners of long vehicles to go for insurance policies provide places to park the vehicles and ensure that they follow the regulations of the state government.

    “We also want to call on Governor Ambode to direct the Chief Justice of the state, Justice Olufunmilayo Oke to set up mobile courts to handle cases involving long vehicles.

    Read Also: Lagos APC to Lagosians: get your PVCs ready

    “The House calls on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing to repair the roads in the state and provide weigh bridges for the vehicles,” he said.

    The Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa suggested that the state Commissioner for Transport should meet with the insurance companies so that the policies would be done properly.

    “The state government should discuss with the insurance companies so that the policies would be original and not fake.

    “Our traffic law should be reviewed to reduce loss of lives on our roads. If the Otedola Estate incident had happened at night, the casualty would have been minimal,” he stated.

    Also speaking on the matter, Hon. Yinka Ogundimu said that the state government should call on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edgal Imohimi to be up and doing to ensure that the vehicle owners obtain insurance policies.

    He said that the policies should be regulated by the police so that the efforts of the government would not be wasted.

    The motion was also supported by Hon. Bisi Yusuf, who said that a similar incident was averted in Alimosho Area on Wednesday, adding that the matter should be taken seriously.

    The Speaker subsequently directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to write to the government on the matter.

    Meanwhile, the House has set up a committee to review the mid-year expenditure of the Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.

    The Committee is to be headed by Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, while members include Hon. Abiodun Tobun, Hon. Yinka Ogundimu, Hon. Jude Idimogu, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, Hon. Moshood Oshun, Hon. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja and Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho.

    The committee was directed to submit its report within two weeks and a half.

  • Why swimming pool operation should be regulated-Speaker

    Why swimming pool operation should be regulated-Speaker

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said on Tuesday that the state must regulate activities of swimming pool operators to safeguard the lives of users.

    He said this while declaring open a stakeholders’ meeting on “Lagos State Safety Commission Swimming Pool Regulations, 2017’’.

    It was organised by the House Committee on Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations in Lagos.

    Obasa, was represented by the Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade.

    He said the regulation would help to prevent unnecessary death and injuries by users, especially teenagers.

    According to the proposed regulation, it would be an offence to operate swimming pool service without official permission.

    Various speakers at the event commended the house for initiating the meeting and stressed the need for proper legislation to regulate activities of swimming pool operators.

    Mrs Omotola Sanusi, the Secretary and Legal Assistant of the Safety Commission, said there was a need for a law to ensure that no individual is allowed into a swimming pool without the presence of a lifeguard on duty.

    She said this was necessary to ensure safety.

    Another stakeholder, Mrs Adeola Folarin, a legal officer from the state Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, advocated for the provision of first aid box in all swimming pools in the state.

    She said this should be incorporated in the proposed legislation.

  • Lagos Assembly amends LASIEC law ahead of Saturday’s election

    Lagos Assembly amends LASIEC law ahead of Saturday’s election

    A bill for a law to amend the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Law 2015 and for connected purposes was passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary yesterday.

    The bill was amended to give room for more participation and flexibility for LASIEC and political parties in order to aid smooth electoral delivery.

    The Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade who moved the motion stated that the amendment of some sections which include Sec.28 and Sec. 62(i) is to seek time within which particular electoral activities could be done.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa emphasized that the essence of the bill is to create more legislative participation and flexibility for LASIEC to give room for adjustment in carrying out their activities and for political parties where necessary.

    In his contribution, Chairman house committee on finance, Lanre Ogundimu said the amendment would create clarity and remove all forms of ambiguity in the law.

    Also chairman house committee on health said the amendment would help settle electoral issues with special focus on time and dates of election

    The bill had an accelerated passage as it went through the first second and third reading at plenary before being passed.

    Majority leader, Sanai Agunbiade recommended the accelerated passage of the bill in accordance with section 101 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which empowers the various houses of assembly in the country to regulate its proceedings as well as the standing order of the state house of assembly which empowers the house to abridge time of passage of bills before it.

    The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to send a clean copy of the bill to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his assent.

  • Lagos Assembly passes consumer protection law

    Lagos Assembly passes consumer protection law

    A bill to protect consumers’ rights was yesterday passed into law by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    It was passed into law after the third reading and will be sent to Governor Babatunde Fashola for assent.

    The bill, sponsored by the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has been in the works in the House since the Fifth Assembly.

    It is tagged: “Law to establish the consumer protection agency, provide for the protection of the interest of consumers, settlement of consumers disputes and for connected purposes.”

    It will protect the right of consumers against the marketing of goods and services hazardous to life and seek redress against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.

    Ikuforiji thanked the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Public complaints and Petition, Sanai Agunbiade, for his “diligent work” on the bill.

    He said: “I thank Agunbiade because for the first time in the country’s history, we have a law protecting consumers.

    “The executive and some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) made useful input to the bill. I thank everybody and once again, Agunbiade congratulations.”