Residents rejoice as Lagos govt fulfils promise it made barely two years ago
By Nnamdi Inyama

IT would have been difficult to find yesterday, a resident of Okota, Isolo, Lagos or a frequent visitor to the area who did not have a smile.

A promise made to the people last year has been kept: their prayer for a link-bridge to ease vehicular movement in the area and its neighbours came true when yesterday, the

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) officially commissioned the Ago Palace Way Extension and Link Bridge.

It was a commissioning with a difference as the governor handed the bridge over to the Community Development Associations, the Landlords and Tenants Association as well as Local Government of the area to be held in trust for all Lagosians that may want to use the road.

He warned that it must not be turned into a market or park for articulated vehicles.

The governor , who spoke at Ago Palace Way , Okota added that the road has been built to let the people go safely in search of their daily bread without let or hindrance.

Said he: "This road is not a marketplace. It is a highway for transportation. This road is not a car park for trailers and tankers or a car park for articulated vehicles or trucks. This road is a community asset developed with tax payers' money from across the spectrum of the whole state.

"We have completed this road so that it can serve and allow people to commute effectively and efficiently without stress, it would enable the students get to school the workers to work, the doctors to their clinics, the lawyer, magistrate and justices to court, the farmer, the bricklayer, the market women to their various destinations", Governor Fashola emphasized.

The state governor said before now, all motorists who plied the area had become prone to armed robbery attacks due to the bad state of the road which made smooth ride impossible, adding that with the commissioning, the State Government has addressed a security concern in the area.

He promised that the State Government will maintain the road for its contracted lifespan , tasking that much also rest on the people who need to take good care of the facility so that it can outlast the contractual date.

He added that the new road is not just a road construction project but a multi dimensional investment of tax payers funds and public service human resource entrusted to the present government to deliver life changing agenda of the Action Congress (AC) to the people so as to address the problem of insecurity and change the lifestyle of the residents for the better.

The Governor explained that the project is also expected to enhance the socio economic development of the axis as it would reduce travel time , reduce man hour loss, and ensure safety of life and property, adding that the safety of the residents is also assured with the reconstruction of the walkway.

He also said the recently awarded Amuwo Odofin/Festac Link Road when completed will complement the Ago Palace Way by bringing traffic from Festac and beyond through the road and bridge to Ago Palace road to link Okota road and Ibeh street, distributing traffic to Ejigbo, Ikotun, Isolo, Oshodi, Surulere and its environs through the on- going Itire -Okota bridge.

The governor enjoined members of the public to make good use of the facility so that the taxes people pay would have been effectively utilized for their benefit .

He reminded the people that the voluntary payment of taxes will enable the government bring greater benefits to the citizenry , faster.

Earlier , the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson, an engineer said the new road is considered vital because it serves as a major link between Okota and Isolo , Egbe, Ikotun, Amuwo Odofin and Festac town and is a 2.7 3 lane carriage way.

He added that the project was executed in two phases by Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited with phase one consisting of the earthworks, drainages and pavement while phase two consisted of the bridge works and streetlights.

The Special Adviser implored the Community Development Association and the community to assume responsibility for the road by ensuring that it is not cut for any reason whatsoever, as service ducts have been provided at intervals across the road to ensure that the drains are clean and free of refuse for free flow of storm water and also ensure that the power generating plant provided for the street lights is well maintained and protected.

The official handing over ceremony was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, stakeholders and residents of the area who came in large numbers to witness the event.

They thanked the governor for delivering on his electoral promise to the area

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/metro/article01/indexn2_html?pdate=200309&ptitle=Okota%20Link%20Bridge:%20A%20promise%20kept

Lagos — The importance of heeding timely warnings cannot be over-emphasised. On many occasions in the past, paying attention to such warnings had saved lives and property.

However, those that ignored such warnings have paid dearly for their disobedience, either with loss of property and sometimes loss of their lives.

For illegal occupants along railway corridors in Lagos State, ignoring timely warnings given by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to vacate rail line corridors has brought tears and anguish to them. The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) penultimate Friday began demolition of all illegal structures along railway corridors in Lagos State after several notices were issued. The exercise, which commenced at Iju in New Oko-Oba area of the state, affected churches, food and local gins joints, kiosks and some ramshackle structures among others.

As a result of the demolition exercise, many people living along the rail line corridors in Lagos State have been rendered homeless while others lost their means of livelihood.

The ongoing demolition exercise includes structures with Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) and Permanent Occupation Licence (POL) within the operational area along the rail line across the country.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, had during his nationwide tour of railway facilities, ordered that all illegal structures along rail corridors be removed throughout the country to paved the way for the rehabilitation of the nation's railway system.

The minister, who was visibly angry by the unattractive sights caused by the dilapidated nature of the structures and the danger they portend to train operations, directed the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation not to leave any stone unturned in the demolition exercise. The minister also appealed to all the concerned state governments to provide necessary assistance and security throughout the duration of the demolition exercise.

Shortly before the demolition exercise, Lagos Railway District Manager (RDM), John Dottie, told Daily Independent that since notices were issued to all illegal occupants in 2006 to vacate the rail lines, they stubbornly refused. He said government cannot allow illegal occupants to reside on the rail line corridors, stressing that the exercise would be thorough, extending to all the states of the federation.

"The exercise is in the best interest of the people, we cannot allow this to continue to happen and I want to assure Nigerians that the Nigerian Railway Corporations is prepared to ensure compliance with the directive of the Federal Government," he stated.

Dottie added that law enforcement agents and Man O War officials had been instructed not to molest or harass any of the illegal occupants. According to him, plans are underway to expand the railway tracks to four lines in line with the Lagos State government's arrangement to use NRC rail corridors for its light rail project.

The exercise, according to the district manager, would be carried out simultaneously in all the states which harbour railway corridors starting with Lagos.

He stated that NRC will be assisted by state governments to keep the entire track free of illegal structures all the time like the Lagos State government is doing presently.

He said the Federal Government, through paid advertisement and formal quit notices, informed the concerned owners of these structures of the intention to demolish the structures as required by the agreement signed.

Besides, Dottie further explained that for NRC to be able to accommodate the four lines in the railway corridors there was the need for all rights of way to be recovered hence the demolition exercise.

His words: "When the minister made this directive, we went further to pass the information to the occupants of the area and announced it on the radio stations; we even had meetings with all the traditional rulers in the affected areas, including Agbado, Agege, Ijora and Iju. We encouraged them to inform their people to vacate the rail line corridor.

"Everybody is happy with what is going on at Oshodi, and if we can succeed in doing that in Yaba and other places, then we can experience similar ease of traffic. We do not wish to bring any hardship to anybody but to develop the country," he stated.

He warned that the demolition exercise would be continuous, adding that NRC is working in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment to ensure that illegal structures do not exist on the rail lines corridors.

During the demolition exercise, some occupants, whose structures were affected, confirmed that they were duly informed about the demolition exercise but did not know it would come so soon.

One Adebimpe Okanlawon, a fruit seller along the corridors at Iju Station, said she received a notice distributed by the management of NRC asking them to remove their structures from the rail line corridors sometimes in 2006. She pointed out that despite the fact that the NRC stopped collecting rents from them since two years ago, some elders of the community were still demanding for rents from them and collected up till December last year.

"We cannot say we were not informed, because as you can see, some of us have already removed our cubicles before today. They (NRC) told us about three years ago when they stopped collecting rents from us, though some of the elders here still collected rent till December last year," she said.

However, the owner of Orelope Food Canteen, Alhaja Sidikat Orelope, whose canteen was demolished, denied ever being notified. According to her, while notices were given to others occupying the opposite side of the rail corridors, she was given false impression that her canteen would not be affected.

Orelope, who hastily removed some of her belongings with the assistance of well-wishers, wept bitterly as she watched her canteen go down under the bulldozer.

Speaking, the Baale of Iju, Chief Tunde Savage, told reporters that he was not aware of any notice given to the people, adding that he had never been invited to any meeting with the management of NRC to discuss about the demolition.

His words: "They never had any meeting with me or my people, and I am so surprised to see them now. I even sent my messenger to call their representative when I saw them destroying this place but they refused to come."

Armed policemen accompanied by men from the Man of War (Man-O-War) maintained law and order throughout the demolition exercise.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200903200302.html

I guess the federal and state government are really serious about all this illegal structures.

Generator importers frustrating power projects-FG


The Presidential Steering Council on the National Integrated Power Projects on Thursday raised the alarm that an unidentified generator importation cartel is frustrating the success of ongoing power projects aimed at alleviating the dismal power supply situation in the country.

The Council, which is chaired by Vice-President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, met in the State House, during which the sum of N43.29bn was approved for the rehabilitation of existing Power Holding Company of Nigeria infrastructure.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, which was attended by contractors handling the projects, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan said that already, moves by the Federal Government to complete the NIPPs have come under attack.

“As at today, even efforts of the Federal Government to ensure completion of the NIPPs are even being attacked (in the press).

“Somebody has an interest to ensure that whatever we are doing fails.

“The problem of power in this country did not start today. Each time government tries to move there is always somebody who ties a rope and pulls government back.

“It is a complex thing, it is a big cartel”, Uduaghan said.

He further enjoined those involved to search their consciences, saying, “You who is supplying generator, are you comfortable?

“Ghana today has 24 hours power; why can’t we have it?”, he queried.

However, the governor stressed that President Umaru Yar’Adua is determined to ensure that Nigerians enjoy 24 hours power supply.

Earlier, while disclosing decisions arrived at the meeting, Uduaghan said a budget on N43.293bn for the rehabilitation of existing PHCN infrastructure was approved by the NIPP Steering Council.

He said, the money would be sourced from a consolidated account contributed to by the federal, state and local governments for implementation of plans to revive the power sector.

The establishment of the contributory account was agreed to at a meeting of the National Economic Council in 2008, and was subject to approvals by the various state assemblies, as well as the National Assembly.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200903201293667

This is really shameful!

Governor Fashola has to respond to this gross abuse of power. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, however, he must take action on behalf of these traders before his credibility begins to crumble. It is this kind of nonsensical "power show" that has made hundreds of thousands of Nigerians willing to leave the country and never look back! There is no rule of law, most of the people are illiterate and hence think like animals ("animals in human skin", the governments do not respect the rights of citizens, fellow citizens do not respect the right of other citizens, the courts are weak, the police force is filled with some the most illiterate humans on earth, there is no justice, life is cheap, politicians are power-drunk imbecilic morons, and the people are so beaten down that the support the very crooks that steal from them and put them in perpetual poverty!

Isn't Nigeria sliding into the abyss of nothingness?

Based on the article you posted this action was not carried out by the state government, but my the landlord. So if they have a case, they should take it to court.
The Lagos state government has always warned illegal markets or people occupying illegal structure to move before the bulldozers come (but typical Nigerians they dont move, the cry foul when they destroy thier property). Those who have legal permit, that are having their homes destroyed because its blocking the canal, old homes or blocking the path to building road are been compensated, based on the values of their homes and relocation cost. Why should the government compensate people that built illegal structures or those that built homes on government land without paying for it?

It was celebration galore at the Oyo State Governor's Office yesterday following the electoral victory of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan as thousands of people stormed the office with wild jubilation.

The governor on the fateful day arrived his office at exactly 8:25.a.m. where he monitored the proceedings of the Court on television. He watched the judgment with his wife, Mrs. Olukemi Aao-Akala, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja and his wife, Mrs. Abiodun Arapaja.

When the judgment was being read, everywhere in the government secretariat including the governor's office was silent. A detachment of mobile policemen with one Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and a Pick-Up Van were stationed in front of the main gate of the secretariat to maintain law and order.

Immediately the judgment was over, the governor and his deputy with their wives, commissioners, wives of commissioners, Local Government Chairmen and other top government functionaries, who had kept funereal silence broke out in joyous mood. They went straight to the Executive Chambers of the Governor's Office where they sang different songs and danced to show appreciation to God.

As he entered the Executive Chambers, the governor broke into songs of thanksgiving to God. The songs he sang included "Emi ba legberun ahon, ki n yin Olugbala , " (If I have thousands of thongs, I will use them to praise the Saviour) while the deputy governor who wore blue guinea fabrics with Yoruba traditional cap known as "Abeti Aja" was reciting: Laila ila Allahu , " (No god except God, ).

As songs of appreciation uncontrollably was permeating the atmosphere of the Governor's Office, a keyboard that has been mounted at the chambers while the judgment was going on was played to back up the songs. The governor's wife who could not hide her joy as she sang "O ti se o, baba ti se o, ohun to n bami leru, baba ti se o" (God has done it, what has been sending shivers down my spine, God has done it).

At a time, she had to remove the white cap, which her husband used to adorn his white guinea fabrics as she was singing and dancing. She waved the cap for some moments in gratitude to God before she returned it.

In his brief address, the governor described his victory as the acts of God, which no one could change. While saying that the fight has been fought and won, he averred that there was no winner and there was no loser. The highly elated Otunba Alao-Akala enjoined the opposition to join hands with his administration in order to move the state forward.

Among the early callers who joined the governor in the celebration were former governors, Kolapo Ishola and Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu, former military governor of Lagos and Ogun State, General Raji Rasaki (rted), a member of Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Folake Olunloyo Oshinowo, among others.

The popular Fuji Music exponent, Alhaji Saheed Osupa entertained the large number of people that stormed the governor's office for celebration. As people were dancing, series of comments were passed such as "Ajimobi ti je gbese"( referring to the defeated All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) standard bearer, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, that he has run into debt).


The security personnel had a difficult time in controlling the multitude that came to rejoice with Otunba Alao-Akala. Few of them managed to enter the Executive Chambers during which one of the glass doors at the entrance of the waiting room that leads to the chambers was completely broken. The late strongman of Ibadan politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, was remembered by the crowd in their songs that it was the handiwork of the late political warhorse.

In Ibadan metropolis, commercial and social activities went on as usual in all of the areas visited except for policemen sighted at strategic paces conducting thorough checks for all vehicles they suspected.
In a life broadcast in Ibadan, the governor said, "Now that victory has finally come our way, I declare that there is no victor and no vanquished. The various protracted litigation were mere disagreements among brothers.

"I give glory to God and I congratulate the good people of Oyo State whose victory and resilience we are celebrating today (yesterday). As the Lord of Host said in Romans 9 verse 15: "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." We draw the conclusion that God meant this passage for us and our strength comes from there.

"The favourable verdict of today will serve as a great impetus for me to work with renewed vigour to rapidly transform Oyo State and bring dividends of democracy to our people because right now, there are no more distractions and acrimonies to contend with.

"My brothers and sisters, I seize this opportunity once again to stretch my hand of fellowship to everyone in Oyo State, including those who are aggrieved and those who may have different opinions with me in principle. The trauma of the past two years should stop. The physical psychological pains to which we have subjected our people should stop.

[b]"God did not make us leaders to foist pains and sufferings on the people we were elected to serve. We must bring succour and hope into the lives of the young and old, no matter what may be our personal aspirations. [/b]The outcome of today's (yesterday) verdict at the Appeal Court has vindicated us; our people spoke loud and clear on April 14, 2007 and the onus is now on us to prove that indeed they made the right decision with their votes."

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/mar/18/national-18-03-2009-15.htm

Importers conveying goods across Lagos State will from now pay wharf landing fees as Gov. Babatunde Fashola yesterdayin Ikeja signed into law the Wharf landing Bill.

Fashola said that defaulters would face strict sanctions, but added thatgoods belonging to international agencies, the Federal, States and Localgovernments were exempted.

“Corporate organisations that default in the new fee payment will be made to pay a fine of N500,000 while a private importer will pay a fine of N100,000and the cost of litigation.,’’ he warned.

The law stipulates that the charges on every small car is N300, while heavyduty trucks are expected to pay N1,000 each.
According to him, revenue generated as a result of the new law, enacted togenerate more funds for the local governments and local council developmentauthorities, will be shared among them on quarterly basis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that proceeds will be collectedcentrally under the state government’s harmonised local government revenuegeneration exercise.

Fashola explained that the law was a brainchild of regulatory agencies to assistlocal council areas which had been saddled with the burden of maritime activities Special Adviser to the governor on Political Power and Legislative Matters, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, explained that the state wouldsoon come up with a designated agency to collect the fee.

He said that only one permit would be issued to a container or lorry thatconveys such goods, noting that this would serve as a pass across the state.

Abdullateef said that after three months, the cumulative fees collected by theagency would be shared among the 57 local government areas in the state afterthe deduction of the cost of collection of the fee.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=138337

I have mixed fillings about this.

PurestBoy:

THE SIMPLE REASON WHY ROBBERS ARE NOW RAMPANT IN IBADAN IS BECAUSE THESE ROBBERS HAVE LOST THEIR ABODE IN LAGOS BECAUSE OF FASHOLA'S PLAN OF RESTRUCTURING LAGOS TO A SAFER PLACE AS IN THE CASE OF OSHODI. SO THE NEAREST CITY THEY COULD RELOCATE IS IBADAN AND THAT'S WE'VE BEEN HAVING SLEEPING WITH OUR TWO EYES OPENED

Not only Ibadan, they are moving to Ogun State too.

IT appears the current global economic crisis has begun to take its toll on local councils in Kwara State. Many of them were unable to, pay their workers’ salaries and allowances for last month.

The state’s branch of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), in a communique issued at the end of its meeting at Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area, however, promised that the affected councils were doing everything possible to rectify the situation.

The chairmen, in the communique, appealed to stakeholders to stand by their elected leaders through the difficult period.

The communiqué, signed by the ALGON Chairman, Alhaji Toyin Sanusi, expressed delight that Governor Bukola Saraki had initiated several meetings on the development, commending him for his visionary leadership.

Sanusi, who is also the chairman of the Ilorin West Local Government, had last week lamented the suspension of the sharing of revenue from the excess crude oil account by the central government, saying it would ground councils’ finances.

http://www.compassnews.net/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12657:we-cant-pay-workers-kwara-council-chairmen-lament&catid=43:news&Itemid=63


If Kwara is already having problems, I wonder which other states are not paying their workers.

AN attempt by a 41- year-old woman to pose as a “sweet sixteen” for any fun-seeking Romeo has landed her in hospital. The woman (names withheld), who is a prostitute was rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after she was battered by her Romeo, an Indian national over the failure of the man to pay her the amount agreed on.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the woman, a native of Ondo State divorced her husband a few years ago, after what she referred to as failure of the man to take proper care of her and due to the constant nagging between them. On Sunday 25 January, 2009, the woman was at a popular hotel in Ring Road, Ibadan, wearing a pair of trousers and a skimpy top. Sunday Tribune gathered that her appearance gave her a sixteen year-old look.

An Indian in his early fifties, who came to the hotel seeking fun, invited her to join him for a drink. Sunday Tribune also gathered that thereafter, the Indian decided to take her to his house at Oni and Sons area in Ring Road, Ibadan for the night. This was at 3.00 a.m. Before they left the hotel, the man reportedly promised to pay her N3,000.

When the love birds got home, the man, Sunday Tribune gathered detected that the woman was not a “sweet sixteen” afterall. He reportedly became enraged and told the woman that he was no longer interested in her. The man said he refused to have sex with her and when it was 6a.m., he gave her N1,500 and told her to leave his house.

However, the woman got annoyed and insisted that the man must pay her N3,000 as arranged before she could leave his house. The man alleged that the woman gripped his genital and this stampeded him to pounce on her. When Sunday Tribune contacted the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olabisi Okuwobi, she confirmed the story, saying that the woman was still at the hospital recuperating.

It was gathered that the woman sustained injury and had to be rushed to the UCH for urgent medical attention. The woman also reported the matter at the Oluyole Police Station and the Indian was immediately arrested. When the woman was taking to the hospital, the doctor who examined her revealed that she had internal injury.

Therefore the woman had to undergo surgical operation. The hospital bill amounting to N250,000, was paid by the Indian. The woman, in her statement to the police, said that the man actually sex her, adding that they had three rounds. She said that when the man asked her to suck his penis, she refused and the man got annoyed.

She said that the man threw N1,500 at her which she refused to accept and in annoyance the man beat her up. She said that when the man saw that she could no longer breath properly, he became afraid and stopped beating her.

The Chairman of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Garba Ahmad Dauran has described the construction of the N130 million Governor’s Lodge at the headquarter of the local government area as agood development in the local government.

Speaking with Sunday Tribune in an interview in Zurmi, the local government boss argued that the edifice was meant to bring important dignitaries to the area.

“We are not only expecting the governor but other important dignitaries like ministers, senators and ambassadors to sleep in the lodge,” Alhaji Dauran stressed.

Explaining why he decided to construct the Governor’s Lodge, he said, “the idea came during the 2007 General Elections Campaign when the governor came and there was no befitting place for him to sleep. I told myself if I became the local government chairman, I would build a lodge befitting the status of a governor.”

He maintained that the governor’s lodge was not a waste but rather part of the dividends of democracy that was brought to the grassroots.

“The people will always feel happy to receive important dignitaries who may be visiting the area. We would have a befitting place for them,” he said.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/15022009/news/news4.html

Efforts to amicably resolve the long running dispute over the use and disposal of Federal Government properties in Lagos State got a boost yesterday following the consent given by the Federal Government for the acquisition and possible demolition of Ikoyi properties that are situated along the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge right of way.

The decision was made known in a statement jointly signed by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Secretary to the Government of the Federa-tion and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Olasupo Shasore, under the auspices of the Federal Government-Lagos State Government Standing Committee on Government Relations.
Yayale Ahmed is also the chairman on the joint standing committee.

The committee stated that the Federal Govern-ment has no objection to the acquisition of its properties located on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge right of way by the Lagos State Govern-ment in support of the proposed bridge to be built to relieve congestion and traffic on the Lekki Highway and Victoria Island.

The statement, which named the properties to include No. 16 Ruxton Road and No 15, 38 and 40 Alexander Avenue, Ikoyi, however, said parties with established interests would be entitled to compensation.

The committee also announced that four of the Federal Government’s existing and disused jetties in the state would be released to the Lagos State Government.

The joint committee said, “the decision is for both administrative and governmental harmony and for the public good and interest.”
The released jetties include those at Marina in Lagos Island; Ijora in the Apapa Local Government Area; Ajegunle in Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Area; and Oworonsoki in the Bariga Local Council Development Area of the state.

The statement added that the Lagos State Government would assist the Federal Government in capturing the details of all Federal Government estates derived from public acquisitions in order to facilitate the issuance of subsequent titles to residents of the said estates in the state.

According to the statement, the Old Broad Street Prison will be handed over to the Lagos State Government, which, in turn, will assist the Federal Government in the construction of another prison facility in the long term.

Other recommendations of the committee approved by the Federal Government include that it would work together with the Lagos State Government in the clearing of abandoned shipwrecks and vessels along the state’s waterways using the state government to implement, where necessary.

The Lagos State Government would also undertake the repair of the expansion joints on axial bridges (particularly at Alapere) which the Federal Government team discovered is in urgent need of repairs.

The statement added that joint sub-committees on issues which are outstanding in ensuring smoother Federal Government-Lagos State Government Relations have also been established to propose solutions for pending issues in the longer term
“Inter-governmental relations and the resolution of issues in pursuance of good governance and the public interest is an on-going process,” the statement said, adding that the FG-LASG Standing Committee, whose tenure is 12 months, will continue to work in earnest while looking forward to future achievements.

The joint standing committee on the Federal Government-Lagos State Government Relations was inaugurated on the directive of President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, and has met on three occasions with substantial progress being made in the area of administrative and governmental harmony

It was set up primarily to resolve disputes between both governments over the lease/sale of Federal Govern-ment to private sector concerns and individuals during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=138056

The Federal Government is set to begin the prosecution of public officials involved in the Halliburton bribery scandal, a reliable source in government, who craved anonymity, said on Friday.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, returned to the country on Thursday from an overseas trip that took him to the United Kingdom and the United States, in what a source said was in connection with the Halliburton saga.

Until now, the Federal Goevrnment had been unwilling to prosecute Nigerian officials involved in the matter, claiming it was yet to receive a legal notification from the countries taking action on the bribery scandal.

Although the AGF could not be reached in his office on Friday to confirm how and when the government would prosecute the bribe takers, our correspondent reliably learnt that his trip was made to obtain information on the involvement of Nigerian public officials in the bribery scandal that also involved public officials that served during the military era.

However, it was also gathered that the Federal Government was in a dilemma over how to handle some powerful former officials who took some of the bribes. Some of these officials served in the last administration.

The source said the Federal Government would issue a statement on Monday on the issue. He added that the statement would let Nigerians know the extent of government’s investigations into the scam.

The British police on March 5 had arrested a lawyer, Jeffrey Tesler, who was accused of moving millions of dollars in bribes to Nigerian officials in order to secure engineering, procurement and construction contracts at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas in Bonny Island, Rivers State.

About $182m in alleged bribe money was paid by Halliburton’s subsidiary, Kellog Brown and Root, to obtain contracts worth over $6bn to build and expand the Bonny Island liquefied natural gas terminal.

Tesler was implicated along with another British citizen, Wojciech Chodan. His arrest followed an extradition request from the United States government. He was charged before the City of Westminster Magistrates‘ Court the same day.

According to the United States Department of Justice, “KBR admitted that, at crucial junctures before the award of the EPC contracts, former CEO, Albert Stanley, and others met with three successive former holders of a top-level office in the executive branch of the Nigerian government to ask the office holder to designate a representative with whom the joint venture should negotiate bribes to Nigerian government officials.”

“Stanley and others negotiated bribe amounts with the office holders’ representatives and agreed to hire the two agents to pay the bribes.”

“According to court documents, the joint venture paid approximately $132 million to the first agent, a consulting company incorporated in Gibraltar, and more than $50 million to the second agent, a global trading company headquartered in Tokyo , Japan , during the course of the bribery scheme.”

KBR has since agreed to pay a US criminal fine of $402m as part of a plea bargain for guilt.

http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200903141322846

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fasola, will play host to the South West governors and traditional rulers on Tuesday, May 5 2009.
This was one of the outcomes of the meeting of the monarchs and the governors hosted by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Osogbo.

According to the coordinator of the group, Gov Alao Adedayo, Lagos is the next state to host the group, though the state had not been formally represented at its previous meetings that had taken place in Ibadan , Abeokuta , Akure and Osogbo.

“We are taking the meeting to Lagos because every member of the council agreed that it is Governor Fasola’s turn to host us and we believe the governor would wait for his colleagues and the traditional rulers of the zone. He had always wanted to attend the meetings, but for some unforeseen circumstances he has not and we cannot because of that deny the state this opportunity.”

Reminded that the governor’s absence from the group meetings might have political undertone, Alao Adedayo said that could not have been the case.

“No. He talked with his colleagues during the first meeting, giving genuine reason why he could not be with them. Besides, the presence of the new Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who was ably represented by his deputy, should be a signal that this group has nothing to do with politics. The belief here is that there will always be governors, and there will always be traditional rulers. So, whoever is the governor, irrespective of his political party or religion is a member. All we want is unity and development for the land.”
Alao Adedayo said a formal letter is on its way to Governor Fashola and that Governor Oyinlola has also been mandated by the council to meet personally with him and relate some of the past deliberations to him.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/mar/14/national-14-03-2009-09.htm

You would think they get the message he is not interested in their drama maybe, thats why he has not attended or sent anyone to the past meetings.

JUSTICE Opeyemi Oke of a Lagos High Court, on Wednesday, dismissed the preliminary objection of Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade and the Nigerian Navy, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear a suit by Miss Uzoma Okere.

The lady was reportedly assaulted by six naval ratings attached to the convoy of Arogundade on November 3, 2008 on Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Okere and Abdulahi Abdulazeez had dragged Arogundade, NN and Unknown Naval Ratings to court and demanded N100m damages.

But the defendants had filed objection, claiming that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit.

In her ruling, Justice Oke held that a prima facie case had been established against Arogundade, NN and Unknown Naval Ratings.

The judge also awarded N25,000 costs against the defendants.

Justice Oke also berated Arogundade and other defendants for wasting the time of the court, saying that the objection lacked merit.

She said, “I hold that the Notice of Preliminary objection and the grounds upon which same is brought is mere waste of the time of the court and it is brought in bad faith to delay the hearing of the applicants‘ suit for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights.

“I hold that the preliminary objection has no leg on which to stand or knee caps to crawl before this court. It is hereby dismissed with N25,000 costs against the respondents.”

The judge further held that Okere and Abdulazeez had duly complied with the provisions of Order 1 Rule 2 (3) of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 1979.

She further held that since the court was satisfied that a prima facie case had been made, the court had no alternative than to grant leave to the plaintiffs to enforce their rights.

She said, “I have exercised my discretion on this application for leave for the enforcement of applicants’ fundamental rights judiciously and judicially, that a prima facie case has been made.

“I further hold that the applicants did comply with the preliminary steps for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.”

Regarding the issue of service, which the NN and Unknown Naval Ratings claimed was not properly effected, the court held that the defendants had been duly served with the originating summons, affidavit in support and the verifying affidavit.

The court also held that the contention of the defendants that the NN was not served with the originating summons at its headquarters at Plot 1092, Mohammed Buhari Way, Area 7, Garki, Abuja, was misconceived.

She pointed out that the NN and Unknown Naval Ratings were aware of the suit having been served through their Lagos office and represented by a lawyer.

The court held that the Lagos office of the NN had the responsibility to pass the information to the defendants, saying that to declare otherwise would only make a ridicule of the law.

Justice Oke later adjourned the case till March 18.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200903124322576

davidif:

xavier, what i am trying to say is that if the govt sponsors this kids, then they automatically have a J-1 visa which means that immediately after school, they are sent back home and no american company can hire them.

Also, education does not seem to be a priority for mr. fashola at all, he seems to be planting trees and building skyscrapers left and right instead of focusing on the fact that lagos has one of the worst public school systems in the world. All it takes is just 120 million dollars to build a world class medical school (20 for faculty and 100 for the facility) and a lot less for an engineering college but the man does not seem to be bothered about that at all. It seems that the people advising him are not innovative at all, they are just some people who live in yanki (mostly from new york or texas) and came back and wanted to bring yanki back with them without realizing how different both places are.

I think that is a wrong misconception. He just opened a new LUTH hospital in Ikeja.  5 martenity hospitals are currently under construction in Lagos. That Gagada (sp?) hospital is currently going throug a makeover and will become a LUTH- specialist hospital for kidney and heart.

public school are under renovation including furnitures to them. students are also getting free books.

just because the thread focus on the roads, bridges and demolition, does not mean that the only thing he is doing.

Does he have a long way to go absolutely. And you need to impove infastructure (roads, buildings, enviroment), for you can get foreign investment, so that govt can get the money to provide social amenities (hospitals, etc.)

zoraro:

We want more details, like, when is it's completion date, is it state-wide reach or restricted to some areas e.t.c. Very good idea but it should have been started like a year ago.

Completion date? The project has not even launched.

can all this foreign telecommunication company provide land line service or is it still only NITEL?

At long last, the long awaited relocation of the Otigba Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos State, is to begin in December this year. The movement will be in phases and will take several months said Sunday Ogunfolaji, Social Secretary of the Computers And Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN).

The computers and peripherals market is relocating to a new site in Gatankowa, in Agbado Oke Local Council Development Area, LCDA, in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) along the Lagos-Abeokuta Express Road,
This is in line with Lagos State Government's policy to remove all markets from residential areas to more spacious and conducive sites.

Babatunde Fashola, Governor of the State, gave the approval for the relocation after reaching an agreement with members of the Computers and Allied Products Dealers of Nigeria (CAPDAN). Ogunfolaji, who spoke with BusinessDay, confirmed that a new site had been allocated to the Computer Village and in the next two weeks machinery would be set in motion to begin construction at the new site. He stated that while the shop owners would be moved to Gatankowa, the street traders are to be relocated to Onilekere.

This was the decision reached between CAPDAN, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). He noted that the certificate of occupancy (C of O), of the land had already been acquired by members of CAPDAN. He said: "Under a Public Private Partnership (PPP), we intend to build almost 5000 offices and shops at the new site which will be called 'ICT Enterprise Zone'. Presently, there are between 2, 000 to 2, 500 offices and shops in the Computer Village. With an average of about three persons to one office, the number of traders in the computer village would be at about 7, 000 persons. So the new site has excess capacity".

The issue about people who do not have shops is over because we are also building 26 warehouses which have enough capacity to hold the consignment of three trailers at a time." He further added that two of the warehouses would be strictly dedicated to the street traders so that they do not constitute a nuisance in the new site as is the case at Ikeja Computer Village. With over seven banks within the village, BusinessDay learnt that the bank headquarters are already aware of the relocation and have all indicated interest to build in the new site. The Ikeja Computer Village has remained the largest single market for computers and allied products in Nigeria. Some say it is the largest such market in West-Africa. It enjoys huge patronage from Lagosians, residents of others states across the country as well as neighbouring West African nations like Benin Republic, Ghana, among others.

While formal market figures for computer sales in Nigeria are put at between 250,000 and 300,000 desktops and laptops yearly, it is estimated that for every computer sold in the formal market, 15 are sold in the informal market here. That would put informal market figures at about 3.7 million. Industry watchers say well over half of the informal market business is done in the Ikeja Computer Village.