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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo assures on reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi expressway in two weeks

     Ambode shuts down illegal terminal in Ajegumle

    Orders removal of trucks in 24 hours

     

    Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the anticipated reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway would commence within the next two weeks as part of the Federal Government’s resolve to finding lasting solution to the chaos in the Apapa axis.

    Osinbajo spoke at a dialogue with stakeholders on the Apapa traffic congestion at the Officers Mess of the Western Naval Command in Apapa on Thursday.

    The Vice president was acccompanied by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, among others

    He said the Federal Government was already looking into the issue of infrastructural renewal, especially with the state of roads in Apapa, adding that approvals for the reconstruction of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and other major roads linking the Apapa Tincan Ports and tank farms would be concluded within the next two weeks.

    The VP, who also led others to inspect the Apapa axis, said there was no excuse on the part of the Federal Government on the state of affairs in the area, noting that aside the economic implications, it was also an important residential community that must be allowed to thrive.

    “We have been working quite hard now to get approval for road construction. Among the roads are the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and Mile 2- Liverpool roundabout which are important roads but they have been delayed but I am personally working to ensure that we could get that through and we are trying to look at immediate solutions that can be done and how the process could be expedited to achieve results.

    “I can guarantee that we will get all the approvals done. I don’t think that it should take us more than two weeks to get the approval so that we can begin the work. There are so many other bad areas, especially the coconut area in front of Tincan Port, the Leventis to Wharf Road is also another area we are looking at, the rehabilitation of the Creek Road so that we can have a two lane access into the ports and all of those are important roads and all of them are Federal roads, so we have a responsibility to ensure that these things are done,” Osinbajo said.

    On the situation with Ports across the country and the need to decongest the Apapa Tincan Ports, the Vice President listed insecurity as one of the major issues preventing the Ports in Port Harcourt, Warri, Onne, Calabar and others from operating, he however, added that the Federal Executive Council had recently approved a security arrangement in the Ports to enable them function optimally.

    “A few weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council approved a maritime security arrangement for all of those areas and that has already been deployed. So we expect that as soon as the security architecture is laid out, we should be able to use those Ports frequently and that would of course decongest the Apapa Tincan Ports,” Osinbajo said.

    Addressing other issues involving the movement of cargo from the Apapa Ports, the Vice President said the Federal Government was in talks with a concessionaire to rehabilitate the narrow gauge rail, which according to him, will aid the quick movement of goods pending the construction of a standard gauge.

    Read Also: Osinbajo advises bourse on long term capital provision

    “As Mr. President had directed, what I intend to do, is that we should meet as frequently as possible. We have already drawn up some roadmap and a check list of the various things that we need to do in the next couple of weeks to ensure that we are able to ease the situation around here and make it more decent for people to live in this community and work in this axis. It is important for us as a country and commercially also and we are definitely committed to making sure that it works,” Osinbajo said.

    Speaking shortly after an on-the-spot assessment in the Agejunle area, Governor Ambode wielded the big stick and ordered the immediate shutting down of Climax Bonded Terminal in Ajegunle, saying that their operation was not only illegal but also causing untold hardship to residents in the area.

    Ambode, who was saddened by the situation in the area shortly after an on-the-spot assessment, directed that the terminal and other adjoining areas be closed, while the trucks parked around the terminal be evacuated within the next 24 hours.

    He said that there was no record from the State Government showing that the operators of the terminal were authorised to convert the property for such purpose, warning that the State Government would not fold its arms and allow flagrant abuse of its building laws to the detriment and safety of residents.

    He said the decision to shut down the place was in furtherance to the need to protect residents from imminent dangers which such building portends, saying that the primary responsibility of the Government was to protect lives and property.

    “You guys are causing me a lot of havoc. So, as far as the Lagos State Government is concerned, Ajegunle remains a residential area. I have crosschecked from all the ministries and officials, there is no approval from the Physical Planning for you to use this neighbourhood which is residential as a bonded terminal and then I understand that you are extending to Awodiora.

    “I don’t want to do too much problem with your owner, but whoever is the owner would have to come to the Ministry of Physical Planning. I have the duty to protect all the citizens of Lagos State, I will not allow anything you have called Bonded Terminal to reside in a residential area and I need to protect my people,” Ambode said.

    Speaking further, the Governor said the presence of trucks parked on the single lane road in the Ajegunle axis was subjecting residents to long hours in traffic and other attendant menace to the environment.

    “It’s bad enough that the roads here are single lanes and then I’ve gone round the whole Ajegunle axis and I’ve seen all the trucks all over the place, so I take over all the places called bonded terminals in Ajegunle from this moment, I shut this place down and all the agencies concerned should take my instructions, I do not want to ever see this place opened again including all the other places that they have put the terminals and other places they have procured, I would not authorize any place that is residential as a Bonded Terminal.

    “Tell the Commissioner of Police, tell others, every person here must evacuate in the next 30 minutes and in all the other locations that they have put in place, they remain under lock and key until I say otherwise. Including Customs, including everybody, tell the CP and the Naval people, I don’t ever want to see it open again. All the trucks that I’ve seen across this axis, in the next 24 hours, I don’t want to ever see it here again and all the other places they have placed them, the Government Monitoring Unit and tell the Director DSS, I don’t want to see anybody here again. Whatever it is that they have put here, I would only open it when they are willing to take all these trucks away from here and that’s my instruction,” the Governor said.

    Also in his remarks at the dialogue with stakeholders, Ambode said the meeting was critical as the situation had become a national emergency that required all levels of government to work together to save the economy of the nation and also restore the glory of Apapa axis.

    “I want to reiterate my commitment to say that whatever it is that is assigned to me as part of the resolutions that Lagos State should do, we are committed to doing it and we would also cooperate with the Federal Government and every other stakeholder to make sure that we have a permanent solution to this Apapa crisis,” the Governor said.

  • Apapa gridlock: Fed Govt may revoke port concession agreement

    As stakeholders blame shipping companies, others for bedlam

     

    The federal government might revoke the seaports concession agreement it entered with terminal operators during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Minster for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said this on Thursday during the stakeholder meeting on the lingering bedlam occasioned by activities of truck drivers to and fro Apapa seaport.

    The meeting which was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), was held at the headquarters, Western Naval Command  (WNC), Apapa.

    According to Amaechi, he would submit the issue to the Federal Executive Council  (FEC) for a possible revocation of the concessions because the concessionaires were not sticking to the terms of operation.

    He said: “Concessioners not sticking to terms of agreement. We might have to go back to the FEC to ask for a revoke of the concessions. We are currently reviewing the concession agreement.”

    Meanwhile, stakeholders at the meeting blamed the shipping companies, tankfarm owners as well as the federal ministry of works for the congestion, noting that while the company and tankfarm operators had refused to operate holding bays for their trucks, the ministry was too slow in repairing bad portions of the roads.

    Read Also: Apapa gridlock: Lagos suspends approval for tank farms

    They also accused the shipping companies of deliberately fuelling the traffic through its demurrage policy, which makes empty containers flood the roads so that they could beat deadlines and collect their money.

    According to the Managing Director, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Hajiya Bala Usman, the shipping companies were acting in disregard of the law.

    She said: “The attendant disregard by shipping companies to patronize holding bays cannot be tolerated. Shipping companies are not above the law in Nigeria and they must act in accordance with the law.

    “We have sanctioned three shipping companies, which are among the largest operating in Nigeria. We withdrew their licenses for 10 days. Upon the review of their 10 days suspension, it was extended to additional five days. Presently, they do not have vantage services within Nigeria.

    “We have noted the concerns about empty containers. What we need to do is ensure that the same volume of containers that come into the country go out.

    “Shipping companies have over the years, made Nigeria a dumping ground. They have also instituted a fee where by, every importer is rushing into the port to drop their containers or risk losing their money.

    “Shipping companies are refusing the operationalisation of holding bays. Ordinary, when you import goods, the empty containers should be returned to the holding bays of the shipping companies. It is their responsibility to move it from the bays to the port.

    “The shipping companies are not above the law. We will keep sanctioning them until they comply and operationalize their business. The container repositioning fee they newly introduced is not acceptable. “The Vice President has written to us demanding clarity and we have cleared that nobody should pay for empty container repositioning. We need to define a location and day, possibly Saturdays and Sundays, where empty containers are moved into the port locations in preparation for them to be taken out to the vessels.

    “Nigerian government would not continue to absorb the cost of your none operationalisation of holding bays. Sixty percent of the trailers on our roads are empty or hawking. They come out without having any business and hope to secure one. “So, NPA is working on licencing trailer parks. In fact, only trailers from such parks can come into the port. We have received four proposals on that and we are working in collaboration with Lagos State Government. The trailers would be at the parks and only come out when called upon.

    “Then, truck owners’ association must ensure compliance of their members. Any truck found idle on the road would be impounded and the association dealt with.”

     

     

  • Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara assure Investors on Economy, Capital Market

    The international community and investors have been assured of the current regime’s commitment towards continued implementation of strategies and policies towards achieving economic development.

    The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave the assurance on Monday while speaking in Abuja at the 2nd capital market stakeholders’ forum organised by Senate and House of Representatives Committees on capital market and institutions in collaboration with Securities and Exchange Commission and other stakeholders.

    According to him, some of the initiatives include: Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), unprecedented investments in capital projects in the past three years, tax incentives and the Ease of Doing Business.

    Osinbajo who was represented by Patience Oniha, Director General, Debt Management Office said the strategies and policies are aimed at attracting “investors into various sectors of the Nigerian economy with the aim of growing and diversifying the economy, creating jobs and improving the quality of life.”

    While also noting the importance of Nigerian capital market in the attainment of these objectives, he said:

    “Financial markets are known to be engines of growth because of the strategic role they play in the flow of funds to businesses and governments. There is extensive literature on the fact that there is a strong positive correlation between the level of development of the financial system and economic development, for the simple reason that financial markets act as intermediaries between lenders and borrowers.

    Read Also: Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, APC governors meet in Aso Villa

    “While this correlation is certainly the case for the advanced market economies, the same cannot be said for Nigerian capital market in the areas of legislations, regulations, technology and products amongst others which have attracted local and foreign investors to the market and I would like to commend the regulators and operators alike for these achievements.”

    Osinbajo further noted  “There is however, room for innovation, increased depth and efficiency of the capital market and this represents an opportune time for these to begin to occur in anticipation of increased and more sophisticated demand for capital market products,”

    He also tasked the stakeholders to come up with “creative ways for enabling small and medium businesses to access capital will also be considered as they have a great potential for growth, job creation and effective source of local resources.”

    The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki in his speech presented by Senator Philip Aduda said the Capital market, can be a catalyst for development

    “The role of the capital market, and the institutions integral to it, must be emboldened to drive development in the private sector. This means that the fiscal, advisory and empowerment responsibility of our financial institutions will be called on now, more than ever, in entrenching economic policies that will elicit development in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

    “I have always maintained that the role of the National Assembly is to give the right platform for all sectors of the economy to thrive. The platform to grow businesses, to draw foreign investments into the country, to sustain meaningful and mutually beneficial investments via bilateral and multilateral instruments. This is our law making responsibility for the economy,” Saraki said.

    In his remarks, Speaker Yakubu Dogara re- echoed the commitment of the National Assembly to the development of the capital market, adding that that the parliament has so far delivered some of the legislative actions enunciated in the communique issued at the maiden capital market stakeholders’ forum held in June, 2016.

    Represented  by Majority Deputy Chief Whip, Pally Iriase, he said: “it is instructive to note that the National Assembly has recorded relevant milestones that is expected to drive the operations of Nigeria’s capital market.

    “These include: passage of demutualisation bill, ongoing amendment of CAMA Act, public hearing held on the amendment of relevant sections of Investment and Securities Act, 2007; review of the Warehouse receipts and other related bills; arbitration and conciliation bill; ports and harbour bill; Nigerian Roads Fund bill; CISI bill; Railway bill;

    He noted there were other legislative intervention through public hearings on ‘downward trend of the capital market’, bonds, securities and private placement and other related bill” currently receiving attention at the National Assembly.

  • Osinbajo orders 72-hour joint operation to clear Apapa traffic gridlock

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has directed the commencement of a 72-hour joint operation to restore order around Apapa and environs after activities of truck drivers had caused traffic gridlock and made vehicular movement around the axis near impossible over the past few days.
    Prof. Osinbajo who made an unscheduled stop at Apapa Port area on Friday for an on-the-spot assessment of the traffic gridlock, directed authorities concerned to restore sanity on the express way, and for the Ministry  Department and Agencies (MDAs) to speed up the decongestion of the port.
    According to the Vice President’s directive, the operation will be carried out by a collaborative efforts of the Police, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Air Force, FRSC and the NSCDC, LASTMA, LASEMA, Container truck drivers, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NUPENG, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria .
     Osinbajo landed first at the Tin Can Island park, flown in by a Nigerian Navy chopper, and accompanied by the Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and senior Naval and Police officers.
    He walked close to the traffic to see the situation of things for himself and then proceeded to the Five Star Berth at the NPA where he met with relevant officials and security officers.
    The plan is to within 72 hours take all the necessary and appropriate steps to restore order to the traffic situation and speed up work on the Port Decongestion.

     

  • Dangote seeks FG’s action against smuggling through Benin borders

    BUA to export 700,000 metric tons of cement annually

    President of Dangote group, Aliko Dangote on Friday urged the Federal Government to intensify actions against dumping of goods on Nigeria smuggled through the Republic of Benin.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after attending the Industrial Policy and Competiveness Advisory Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He called for drastic action to halt smuggling which he said is likely to weaken Nigeria’s efforts at building strong manufacturing base.

    He said “The drastic action that should be taken is any action that will stop the Republic of Benin encouraging people to come and dump goods into Nigeria.

    “There are so many of them, it is to do with textiles, sugar, pasta, vegetable oil, arms and ammunition. Because, the smuggling really has gone out of control and we need to really do something.

    He noted that the challenge of smuggling was very very deep, adding that “the biggest issue and challenge for the economy and also for the manufacturing has to do with smuggling and I think unless we really take a very drastic action against the Republic of Benin, I don’t think we are really going to be successful”

    “You know we have to attack it from two fronts; one is stopping the Republic of Benin from promoting smuggling into Nigeria and two, to ensure we stop those who are patronizing the goods in the market, that is to stop people from selling smuggled goods.

    Dangote noted that this already has strong crippling effect on the “economy and not allowing us to create jobs”

    “It is allowing us to create more poverty because some of our business are shutting down. If you are shutting down you are creating more job loss rather than employing more people.” he added

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah said that the government was working on addressing all issues affecting industrial development.

    He said “We are working on the whole area of technology and how to deal with issues around MSMEs and financing, we are also working on issues that affect training and providing training particularly in the technology space and the sub-committee working on skills acquisition came up with their proposal which was adopted by the council that we need to provide more training in the technology and related areas to our people to create more jobs.

    “There was also a discussion around trading and addressing the issue around smuggling and robust discussion on that on how to make sure we address this problem area.” he said.

    Read Also: Dangote Cement leads equities to N8b gain

    Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Cement disclosed that the recently commissioned cement plant is set to embark on export of 700,000 metric tones of cement annually.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had commissioned the 1.5 million metric tons per annum plant

    He said “So we are actually very excited because as I keep saying these are the kinds of things we need to do using our local raw materials to develop our economy. So this plant is very unique, the location is very good because of its proximity to Niger Republic and Benin Republic which is only about 100 kilometers away from the border and that is going to generate a lot of foreign exchange for the country.

    He disclosed that BUA was producing high quality cement of about 55 mega pascal and is going to cater for the catchment area which is Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and all the way to Kano and other areas within the North western part of Nigeria.

    “It is important to note that this is the single largest investment in the whole of north western part of the country and is generating over 2000 direct jobs and so we are very excited and we thank Mr. Vice President for making time to come and commission the plant.

    “We want to be able to cater for the market locally first before export, adding that “at about $120 price, it is quite tempting to export most of it, meaning that the price of cement in terms of export is higher than in Nigeria but we still believe that it is important for us to cater for the local market first.

    “We are looking at exporting between 500,000 to 700,000 tons annually, that is about 30 to 40 percent of the market depending on the season. As you know during the dry season the demand for cement in Nigeria is very very high. So during the dry season we intend to produce and sell everything within Nigeria but during the rainy season when the demand is low we export substantial part of what we produce.” he stated

  • Ogun flood: FGN to provide relief materials to victims – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday visited places affected by recent flood that occurred in Abeokuta and its environs, assuring that the Federal Government would come to the aide of the Ogun State government with relief materials for the victims.

    Osinbajo who described the last Friday flood that ravaged homes, business premises, bridges  and even claimed lives,  as “very very unfortunate,” said aside the immediate provision of succour to the victims, further assistance would  be provided on a permanent basis to help cushion the effects of flood in the state.

    The Vice – President gave hint of the assistance while fielding questions from reporters  in  Abeokuta, the state capital, during his on-the-spot  assessment of some of the ravaged areas.

    He was accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja.

    He rued that despite the drainages and infrastructure put in place by the state government, the flood still wreaked havoc, assuring that the Federal Government would collaborate with the state to improve on the infrastructure in order to forestall future occurrence.

    “Let me say what has happened here is very  very unfortunate indeed.  A lot of the drainages have been done, but the level of the rain had been so heavy that it has overtaken the infrastructure in place.  So what we are looking at is how this can be enhanced and we are also discussing  with His Excellency on how to do this.

    Read Also: FG to assist, compensate victims of Jibia flooding – Osinbajo

    “We have to really sit down and look at those challenges properly.  We are providing immediate relief materials to support the state govt.  We learnt that NEMA was here to provide that immediate succour.  On a permanent basis, we are planning on how to sit with the state government on how to provide succour,” he said.

    He conveyed the Federal Government’s condolence to the families of the victims and Ogun State government, and advised residents to change behaviours that obstruct the drainages.

    “The unfortunate incident is unavoidable. Flash flooding where you have rain for hours,  especially rains in the tropics, the type in the area that we are, it is difficult  to avoid flash flooding. We are fortunate that it did not take place at nigh, because if it did, and there is a sudden surge of water,  it will naturally cause a lot of disaster.

    “One of the things that we have to do as a people is that we have to change our habit of blocking drainages. Inspite of channelisation, where you have this kind heavy rain falling within short hours,  it will be like this. What we might need to do when the rain is heavy, is that those who live in the valley, will have to move quickly to higher ground. This is because there is nothing we can do about a valley,  a valley is a valley.

    “On the whole, the loss of lives is very unfortunate. The FG commiserates with the families  of the victims and the state government. And I want to also say that God has been gracious to us because it would have been worse, but for the drainages and the infrastructure in place,  which has helped to move the waters away.

    “As you can see, it has been dissipated despite the huge surge of the flood.  So I think we should be thankful to God and the state government for providing this kind of infrastructure and the quick response to minimize the loss,”. Osinbajo said.

  • FG to assist, compensate victims of Jibia flooding – Osinbajo

    The Federal Government, on Tuesday pledged to assist victims of flood disaster in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina state.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the pledge when he visited the scene of the disaster to commiserate with the victims in Jibia.

    “I am here on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari to commiserate and condole with the Katsina State Government and victims of the disaster.

    “The President asked me to assure you that everything will be done to ensure that every victim is taken care of and this never repeats itself again.

    “We are here with the Director General of National Emegency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide all the relief materials that will be needed.

    “As Nigerians, we deserve to live our lives happily, we deserve to be treated well,’’ Osinbajo said.

    Read Also: 2019: North West lawmakers endorse Buhari/Osinbajo

    He prayed to Almighty God to avert future occurrence of the disaster.

    “We will work with the state government where compensation is necessary, we will compensate and rebuild where necessary,” Osinbajo

    The disaster occurred last week, leading to the death of over 50 persons and rendering over 1,000 homeless.

    NAN

  • 2019: Buhari not losing sleep over merger, says group

    A solidarity group for President Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday declared that the presidency is not losing sleep over the merger of 39 political parties who came together to wrestle power from Buhari in 2019.

    The women group under the aegis of Noble Women Movement for Buhari and Osinbajo (NWM4BO), in a release made available to journalists in Abuja described the merger as a convergence of politicians who have stolen the collective commonwealth of the people.

    The release issued by the Director of Publicity, Dr. Rachael Ahmadu, also described most of the groups as “briefcase political parties” who are not politically relevant in their constituencies, stating that they are  crop of people who lack political ideologies.

    Ahmadu quoted the National President of the Noble Women Movement for Buhari and Osinbajo, Pastor (Mrs.) Mfawa Usani, as saying that President Buhari will not be distracted over those who are plotting to institutionalize corruption in Nigeria.

    Usani said the group will remain resolute in marketing the programmes and policies of President Buhari and Osinbajo that have impacted positively on Nigerians.

    The statement reads in part: “As a group, we want to state unequivocally that the presidency is not losing sleep over the merger of some briefcase political parties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We saw the convergence of people who are just plotting to institutionalize corruption in Nigeria. People who ordinarily should be begging for forgiveness for looting our collective wealth.

    “The merger is the coming together of people who do not have political ideology, those who are not politically relevant in their various states and constituencies. They are crop of people who survive by Abuja political oxygen”.

    The group, however, called on Nigerians not to be deceived by cynics and critics of the Buhari’s administration, assuring that the commonwealth is safe with the duo of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    “Development that has to be sustained comes with a price. Nigeria as a nation if compared to a broken bone takes a painful process to heal. We call on Nigerians not to loss hope in the leadership of our President because when the Labour of a pregnant woman become intense the baby is born,” the group affirmed.

    She maintained that the sacrifice made by Nigerians during the first term of Buhari’s administration will yield positive results if given second term in office, stressing that Malaysians also paid the supreme sacrifice to get to where they are today.

    It would be recalled that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had taken a step to galvanize other opposition parties to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2019.

  • FG to fast-track implementation of transport treaties – Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said that Federal Government had realized the need to fast track the implementation of all transport treaties and conventions it signed for economic growth.

    Osinbajo said this at the closing of the Sub-Sahara Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP) Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Abuja.

    Osinbajo, who was represented by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said that Africa needed to integrate for trade and economic development, stating that the cost of transportation in Africa was too high.

    “We have also as a country realized the need to fast track the implementation of all the transport related treaties, conventions, protocol and agreements that were signed.

    “We are working with United Nations agencies and our transport, environment and petroleum ministries to promote clean air and fuel emission from vehicles.

    We have also signed the 1968 conventions on road signs and signal to ensure safe roads for users.”

    Read Also: ‘I am excited Osinbajo noticed what I am producing’

    Osinbajo, however, commended the SSATP countries for selecting three states – Lagos, FCT and Calabar – for the pioneer urban mobility development.

    He said that the meeting had brought African countries together to share ideas and knowledge on the various challenges and the way forward for transport system in Africa.

    However, the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, commended the partners of SSATP for coming together to develop policy that would help the transport sector.

    He said that aviation still remained the fastest and safest means of transportation, adding that the cost of transportation within African nations was too high, based on connectivity.

    Sirika said that if the problem of networking and connectivity was tackled, it would improve the economy.

    NAN

  • Strong, autonomous states is panacea to eradicate poverty – Osinbajo

    As 8th Lagos Assembly celebrates Third Anniversary

     

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advocated for strong and autonomous states within the Nigerian federal system as a panacea for eradicating poverty in the country.

    Osinbajo stated this position while delivering a lecture at the special parliamentary session  in commemoration of the 3rd Anniversary of the 8th Assembly of Lagos State which took place at the chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa on Friday evening.

    Although the topic for the lecture was ‘Strengthening legislative institutions: panacea for eradicating democracy’, the Vice President who was the Guest Speaker however narrowed the topic down to ‘Stronger states and the eradication of poverty.

    As against the general belief that the creation of a conducive environment by the government for business for business to thrive to checkmate mass poverty, Osinbajo said poverty can be eradicated by having stronger states with strong judiciary, executive and legislature who would channel the resources of the state to create wealth for the citizens and eradicate poverty.

    “The three arms of government in the states must work proactively for the economic development of its citizens. To achieve this there must be devolution of powers to the states to enable them control their resources”, Osinbajo said.

    He cited the great feat achieved by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who as Premier of then Western region recorded achievements that were acknowledged world wide and most of which has remained enduring relying solely on revenue from taxes and cocoa.

    Osinbajo submitted that although he supports devolution and restructuring but that even without restructuring it is possible to create a strong state without any major constitutional changes.

    He cited how collaboration between the the three arms of government in Lagos right from the reign of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the present governor the state has been able to win series of cases at the Supreme Court which has given more powers to not just only Lagos state but which has benefited so many other states as well.

    According to him, the Lagos Assembly has pushed the frontiers of federalism by passing laws which has strengthened federalism in Nigeria.

    He advised that for outstanding economic growth there is need to focus more on education, healthcare and provision of jobs through delibrate programmes and pumping of more resources to these sectors to benefit the majority of the citizens.

    The Vice President disclosed that the present government is working round the clock to  create an environment for business to grow especially through a micro credit scheme for those at the lower rung of the economic ladder to lift them out of poverty.

    Read Also: Osinbajo visits Lagos, says FG saddened by incident

    He commended the Lagos state government for creating exemplary institutions for economic growth and development.

    Osinbajo also made a case for state police to tackle present security challenges confronting the nation, saying that “local policing is very important as part of security architecture”.

    Giving his remarks, Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode praised the leadership of the state Assembly for team dynamics and infrastructural development within the Assembly.

    According to him the three arms of government in the state have always worked together and have strived to show a good example of tenents of democracy and what growth and development should be “and with that collaboration we will take Lagos to where it is supposed to be”.

    In his welcome address earlier, speaker of the Assembly Hon.Mudashiru Obasa said in three years the Assembly has passed 28 bills into law and over 100 resolutions on education, health, power, transport, security and environment for the well-being of Lagosians.

    Obasa commended Ambode for the good job he is doing which is visible all over the state “he has turned the whole state to one construction site.”

    While stressing on the important role of the Assembly in democracy, Obasa said the executive should ensure the survival of the legislature by playing the role of a father and ensuring cordial relationship to avoid instability and anarchy.

    Dignitaries at the event includes: Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Fmr speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abbah who was the Discussant, fmr deputy governor Lagos state, Femi Pedro represented Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, PDP chieftain Adesewe Ogunlewe while Governor of Oyo state, Ajimobi was represented by the Attorney General of Oyo state.

    Others are: House of Representatives Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Legal Adviser, Hon. Babatunde Ogala, APC South West Women Leader, Mrs. Kami Nelson, Rights Activist, Femi Falana, Secretary to the state government, Tunji Bello and other exco members, Body of Permanent Secretaries of the state, traditional rulers, APC Lagos chairman and other party chieftain.