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Showing posts with label LAGOS METROPOLIS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LAGOS METROPOLIS. Show all posts

Saturday 2 September 2017

"STOP FOLLOWING RESIDENTS TO 'ATM' TO FORCEFULLY COLLECT BRIBE"~~NEW LAGOS CP WARNS

The new Lagos state top cop, Edgal Imohimi, had a briefing with commanders and Assistant commissioners in the command on Friday,September  1st  , where he issued a warning to the police superiors to warn all officers under them to desist from following residents of the state to ATM points to forcefully withdraw money which they collect as bribe.

According to Imohimi who assumed office on Thursday August 31st, his directive from the Inspector General of Police is to rid Lagos of corrupt practices amongst officers and men in the state.  He said Area commanders should know where policemen under them are being posted to and their visibility for proper policing which invariably deter criminals. He asked the commanders to involve themselves in effective patrolling and visit their men on duty at anytime to ensure compliance and effective oversight duties.


Imohimi stressed the command's stand against officers who follow civilians to bank ATMs and forcefully demand money from them, that if such practice happens again, commanders, where these crimes are committed, will be held liable for the offence of his men. The commissioner said that henceforth, officers are to lecture their men that no reports of officers taking bribes at counter level to incident cases before investigation, station guard, traffic section, should be heard off in the state again.

He noted that all the complains came from the  IGP through the PCCRU. According to Imohimi, the Lagos state government have created an enabily environment for the police to carry out their duties in the state and so the officers should ensure they work effectively. 

Sunday 18 June 2017

APAPA ROAD TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR ONE YEAR~~FASHOLA

The residents of Lagos might experience a bit of traffic along Apapa Wharf Road, as the  Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola says on Saturday that a section of the road will be shut down for one-year to enable its construction.

This was  disclosed at the official signing of Memorandum of Understanding and handing over of the project to the sponsors.

The N4.34bn project is jointly sponsored by Dangote, Flour Mills companies and Federal Government.

The two kilometres road construction between the Nigerian Port Authority and end of the bridge is expected to take one-year starting from Saturday, PUNCH reports.

Fashola explained that the use of AG Dangote for the construction was to give the road a better outlook with the use of concrete, adding that the construction was to resolve the challenges usually encountered on the road.

The minister, while commending the sponsors of the project, appealed to road users and stakeholders to persevere.

"We are embarking on what will be the final solution to the massive inconvenience. Businesses and residents in Apapa and its environment have had to endure for a couple of years.

"I like to acknowledge the leadership role of Dangote and Flour Mills who are operators and have also contributed to make this reality. They are doing this as a total Corporate Responsibility without asking for tax holiday or reduction. We are also working on how to ensure free access to Tin Can Island.

"From today that we are handing over the project, the road will take one year to be completed. We need the cooperation of all the stakeholders. There will be some discomfort on the way but we appeal for tolerance and perseverance. It will continue to get better, people should please ensure more to solve the challenge," he said.

Engr Joseph Makoju from Dangote, said it was co-sponsoring the project to provide an enabling environment for businesses in the area.

"This is part of our CSR. Businesses have to engage the community where they operate. Today's CSR has gone to a higher level where we find ourselves embarking on a major infrastructural project," he added.

The Managing Director of Flour Mills, Paul Gbededo, urged the Federal Government to place priority on repairing other sections of Apapa.

He also sought the cooperation of other stakeholders and road users during the construction period.

"Apapa has become a very difficult place to work. With this project that the Federal Government has allowed to embark on, it will give succour to business. It has the biggest port in Nigeria and should not be taken with levity," he said.

Wednesday 31 May 2017

OSINBAJO GRANTS LAGOS GOVERNMENT PERMISSION TO RECONSTRUCT THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ROAD FROM OSHODI

 Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has granted the Lagos State Government, permission to reconstruct the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road from Oshodi which has been in a bad state for some years.

The Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello,  disclosed the latest development in a statement released today. According to the statement, Ambode commends Osinbajo for granting the request of the state government to do the road. He described the action of the acting president as his own 50th birthday gift to the state.

“We are very appreciative of the good gesture of His Excellency, the Acting President for acceding to our request which is not only very timely but a very heartwarming one. Posterity will never forget this genuine developmental action”Ambode said in the statement

Recall that in March this year, Ambode told the state residents at a function that his administration had the money and design for the reconstruction of the road which had become a national disgrace but that the Federal government was however hesitant in giving the state the approval to reconstruct the road. This had at the time caused a friction between him and his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, who is the current Minister for Power, Works and Housing.

“The road linking Oshodi to the International Airport, you would all agree with me is a national embarrassment. In the spirit of the regeneration and urbanisation that this administration has set out to achieve, we believe strongly that the image that is exhumed by the decadence of that road must be repaired and we took it upon ourselves to appropriate the 2017 budget that the House of Assembly should approve the total reconstruction of the Airport Road from Oshodi to the International Airport.

The State currently has a design of 10 lanes to come from Oshodi to the International Airport with interchange and flyover that would drop you towards the Local Airport. The contractor is already set to go and everything as I said has been completed and we already have the cash, but alas we are having challenges with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. This is a Federal and not a State road. The Federal Ministry of Works believes that they should do the road, but they have not been able to do it all these years past. I just want to appeal to the Federal Ministry of Works, to let go or reimburse us with whatever it is that they are owing us and even if they are not willing to pay us now, we have the money to do it. It is a national disgrace and we would not be part of it. We would like to do it as part of the celebration of Lagos at 50,” Ambode had said then.

In his response, Fashola had said that the delay in granting the request of the state government was because the Memorandum conveying the request of Lagos State which was already before the Federal Executive Council has not reached completion stage.

“The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Ministry has presented the Memorandum conveying the request of the Lagos State Government to the Federal Executive Council as was done with a similar request by the Kaduna State Government in 2016. Due to the fact that two of the roads also connect Ogun State, the Federal Executive Council could not reach an immediate decision on them because it requested the input of the other State Government affected”.
Osinbajo has granted the permission and the state will now do the reconstruction of the road.

Wednesday 24 May 2017

AN 8-YEAR OLD HOUSE-HELP BEATEN TO DEATH BY HER MADAM IN LAGOS

An 8-year-old girl has died in Lagos after she was beaten to death by her female employer. The suspect, who is a mother-of-two and pregnant with her third, was reportedly in the habit of maltreating the victim and a second house help living with her.


According to neighbours, the suspect, known as Oby in her neighbourhood in Isolo, 'usually beats and overworks' the deceased, Miracle Edegwu, and her colleague. She had also withdrawn both girls from school after she brought them from Anambra state to Lagos. When neighbours confronted her about the way she treated the girls, she remained defiant and told them to mind their business.

Early on Saturday morning, she launched another attack on the little girl, leading to her death.

After Miracle died, Oby tried to cover her death by contacting people to assist in covertly disposing of the body but they were caught by neighbours who then reported to the authorities. The suspect was then detained at the Isolo Police Division.

The victim’s corpse had been deposited at the Isolo General Hospital.

BLOODY FESTIVAL@ IBEJU-LEKKI : POLICE INSPECTOR AND TWO BROTHERS HACKED TO DEATH DURING MASQUERADE FESTIVAL

A police inspector and two brothers were killed at the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State on Saturday during Kilajolu Festival.

The clash started after some youths from Ilagbo Community and Oriyanrin Town fought at Kilajolu Festival at Ilagbo. Two brothers were killed in the mayhem and many others injured. A police inspector, who responded to distress call, was also hacked to death.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, explained that the clash started at a masquerade festival, between two youths from different communities.

Youths from Oriyanrin town were alleged to have started causing trouble just as the festival was about to start. Elders of Ilagbo Community were said to have chastised and sent them away.

The Oriyanrin youths, angry at being sent away from the festival, allegedly laid ambush for some Ilagbo youths. They pounced on the boys who were returning from the festival and hacked one Ismaeila to death.

The late Ismaela' s brother, identified as Matanle, who went to evacuate the remains of his brother, was also hacked to death.

When the mayhem erupted, some residents were said to have sent a distress to the nearest police station.

The police inspector and other policemen were drafted to the scene. The rampaging crowd pounced on the policemen. Others escaped, but the inspector was not so lucky. His corpse, which was later retrieved, was covered with machete cuts.

The murder of the two brothers angered Ilagbo youths. The Ilagbo youths carried out reprisal on Oriyanrin community, burning houses, vehicles and property valued millions of naira.

One of the residents, Mr Moriu Made described the incident as unfortunate.
He added: “In fact because of my I'll health, I couldn’t run when the youths from Ilagbo invaded our community. They burnt my house and that of my younger brother's. Houses of some other residents were also burnt. I don't know where to start from. My family members have run away. I’m the only person left in the community. I have not eaten for three days. Government should please provide adequate security for us."

A 102-year-old man was also sighted, abandoned in the deserted community.
Owoseni warned the residents against communal clashes, adding: “We will make sure there is no reprisal in the community. The traditional heads need to do something. The elders in this community should be ashamed of themselves. The police helped you to settle clashes, but you went ahead to kill an inspector. If you’re not careful, we’ll accuse you of using policemen and your community members for rituals. This will discourage investors from your community will your children will suffer from.

"Nothing stops you from organizing a vigilante group with the police. Instead, your children go behind to kill policemen. Policemen also have families. You know the solution. If you don't want peace to reign, we will handle it with force. You need to give us assurance that you are ready to defend your community; security starts with you. You’ll never see policemen carry guns in civilized countries, except in a community where hoodlums are rampant. You should establish cordial relationship with investors to enjoy corporate social responsibility, not kill.”

Owoseni further added: “Every religious leader has a role to play. If you don't stop it, it will spread. You should continue to utilize the same wisdom you have always used in keeping the community calm. We’ll keep doing our best in chasing militants away from your community, but you are starting an internal fight, instead of joining hands with us to combat them. A boy was killed by youths from Oriyanrin community and his brother, who went to rescue him, was also hacked to death. When the brother was attacked, it was at that point that a distress call got to the police. Our men were deployed to the community to restore normalcy. We have had discussion with the community leaders to help us with information on how to arrest the culprits that caused this sort of carnage.”

Owoseni disclosed that two persons have been arrested in connection with the carnage in the community.

Saturday 20 May 2017

EYO FESTIVAL: NO MOVEMENT ON THE LAGOS ISLAND TODAY

There will be no Movement on the Island today. The Adamu orisa play also known as  "Eyo festival" is happening today all over the Lagos island.

This is always a joyous occasion,because people you haven't seen for years will come out to take part...

The Adamu Orisa festival  will be watched by dignitaries and there will be lots to eat and drink,...

 Olumegbon of Lagos, Chief Fatai Lawal, who outlined the dos and don’ts of the festival, urged everyone not to wear any shoes within the vicinity of the masquerades, adding that female must not wear any form of head ties to the event. Moyo fun e, moyo fun rami eyo esuaaaa.........

Thursday 18 May 2017

MY ORDEAL IN THE VIO DEN

 Recently, I ran into a roadblock mounted by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) of Lagos State on Liasu Road in Alimosho Local Government Area. Their presence gave me no qualms for (as I supposed) I had all the necessary papers –Driver’s Licence, Certificate of Insurance, Proof of Ownership Certificate, including the controversial MOT supposed to give the vehicle a clean bill of health. I drove an unbranded official car, a Toyota Corona, with the papers made out in the name of my boss, a reputable politician and frontline professional, Mr. Jimi Agbaje. Anyway, the team stopped me, ignored the PRESS sticker on the windscreen indicating that I was a Journalist (and most unlikely to break the law) and ushered me off the road.

Clearly, these two points soured one female officer –that I was a Press man and I worked for an opposition political party in the state. “Risikatu” (as I later learnt was her name) took my papers and paced up and down, inspecting not my vehicle, as VIOs were supposed to do, but the papers. She and the rest of the team did none of the things VIOs traditionally did: Check vehicle headlights and indicator lights, rev the engine for excessive smoking and so on. Instead, Risikatu brashly ordered me out of the vehicle. I stepped out. She flipped through the papers some more.

Moments flew by; finally, Risi thrust the papers under my nose and told me, apparently triumphantly, that I carried a “forged” Proof of Ownership Certificate (of course only the photocopy was attached, plus the receipt, their originals were kept in my files at home) and that my vehicle was “hereby impounded.” This was 2008 and I had just entered into the lion’s den of VIO and LASTMA in Alimosho, Lagos.

How on earth could she judge the papers as forged, without any independent confirmation other than her bias and her gut feeling? All my arguments only flowed into a leaking basket, that neither my profession nor the calibre of man who owned the car could indulge in forging documentation. This short, round lady accused, prosecuted, judged and sentenced me on the spot. Instantly, she wrote out a fine ticket for N5,000 and told me to deposit that amount at the FCMB Branch at Okota, about 4 kilometres away in Isolo Local Government, although there was a branch within a kilometre in this same local government where I was apprehended. Risi then directed one of her subordinates to board the vehicle and escort me to the Alimosho Council compound.

This effectively aborted my programme for the day, including my plan to see a church member admitted into the General Hospital at Igando in Alimosho and paying a sympathy visit to a relation hit by multiple deaths. On the way, I asked the junior VIO officer how I could secure genuine papers since Risi’s excuse for reining me in was for flaunting forged vehicle particulars. Demola himself could not say and went on to say that his own father, who had served in the VIO for 30 years before retiring, had always regarded the acquisition of genuine papers as the most damning thing an officer could involve in.

Unknown to me, my ordeal would be a journey of exposure. As directed, I paid the fine at FCMB and brought both teller and electronic scratch card to LASTMA/VIO office at Ejigbo for “downloading.” The VIO officer on the computer demanded N200 before doing the job. I paid. No receipt. Next, I must submit photocopies of the receipt, teller and fine ticket. Another officer, to whom I would submit this document, demanded N100. I paid. No receipt.

As I trudged from one corruption point to another, I could not help but notice the signs of despair in the environment. All over the compound, impounded commercial and private vehicles, of all shades, shapes and sizes, languished. Many were new arrivals; some were old, judging by their position inside the small compound and from the gate. All of them had been captured by LASTMA and VIO operatives. In this same place a few weeks before, CAC’s Pastor Alade had been harassed to an early grave by LASTMA operatives. Frustration oozed from the faces of victims, while officers played God. I witnessed as one officer busied himself with a motor technician negotiating to buy some parts that would be pilfered off one of the many abandoned vehicles in that auto graveyard. Their transaction appeared to be routine. Of course, demurrage was being charged these vehicles at N500 per day. Undoubtedly, some owners had calculated the fine imposed (sometimes up to N250,000) plus the demurrage accumulated plus the illegal charges and decided it was cheaper to let the government keep the vehicle.

After all this, I still spent over two hours gallivanting in the premises as the official to issue the “Gate Pass” that I needed to retrieve my car was nowhere around. When he finally resurfaced, he had a Herculean task securing the “Gate Pass” for me even though I had to cough out another N500.

I reached Alimosho council compound late in the evening. There, another surprise awaited me. The security man insisted I pay another unreceipted N500 before allowing the vulcaniser to inflate the tyres, two of which had been deflated in my absence. The vulcaniser charged N200 per tyre (four times the N50 it would normally cost on the streets). By this time, I was too pissed off by the rottenness being dispensed at the VIO/LASTMA setup in Ejigbo that I just wanted to end that day’s nightmare –at any cost.

To summarise, the illegal payments I made that day at VIO/LASTMA in Ejigbo and Ikotun came to N1,300 and included: N200 to “download,” N100 for recording via photocopy, N500 for pass, N500 for exit –not counting the wasted day, nor the N5,000 I paid into the bank as official fine.

LASTMA and VIO officials who took interest in my case would later tell me that Risikatu had no justification for her actions. One advised me to detach and get rid of the Proof of Ownership receipt that I carried around, it was neither a vehicle particular nor a requirement; it was an overkill that could raise suspicion.

My agent who did the documentation later insisted that he had processed genuine documents for me, with the requisite payments made. He said I had fallen victim to the petty politics and muscle-flexing between Lagos State traffic agencies and the Federal Road Safety Commission over which of them should issue vehicle particulars to motorists in the state. What I had was an FG-issued document. Two elephants fight and the underdogs suffer. Simply put, Risikatu, the VIO officer, had punished me for carrying a Federal-issued document.

FELIX OBOAGWINA, A JOURNALIST, SENT THIS PIECE FROM LAGOS

PHOTOS: THREE-STOREY BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION COLLAPSES IN LAGOS

Many people are reportedly trapped under rubble after a three-storey building under construction, collapsed this afternoon at Richard Abimbola street in the Ilasa area of Lagos state. Officers of the state Emergency Management Authority are at the scene of the incident to rescue the trapped victims.





EKO O NI BAJE: AMBODE COMMISSIONED ABULE-EGBA FLYOVER ! (PHOTOS)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday commissioned Abule Egba Flyover, saying that the bridge will boost economic activities in the area.





Wednesday 17 May 2017

"IT'S NO MORE OJODO-BERGER...IT'S NOW OJODU-AMBODE"~~AYORINDE

The newly built Pedestrian Bridge was commissioned by the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday.(Read and see pics here)

After the commissioning, Steve Ayorinde the Commissioner for Information and Strategy took to Instagram to say,  'It's no more Ojodu-Berger. It's now Ojodu-Ambode. Extraordinary transformation without a doubt'.

An anonymous  wrote; "We drove past Berger last week and I had to ask my husband where we were, I couldn't believe it. We can make this cou try great if we want to. Well done Sir. If only other states will emulate this, ppl will be happy to go live outside Lagos and decongest the state."


Tuesday 16 May 2017

VIO PERMANENTLY BANNED ON LAGOS ROADS~~AMBODE


Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday put the uncertainty concerning the absence of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) on Lagos roads to rest once and for all, stating categorically that he has asked them to stay off the roads permanently.

Governor Ambode, who said this at the commissioning of Pedestrian Bridges, Laybys and Slip Road at Ojodu Berger, also urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to limit its operations to the fringes and highways and stay clear from the main streets of the State.

He said the decisions were in line with his administration’s resolve to ensure free flow of traffic across the State, noting that their activities were contributing to traffic congestion on Lagos roads. The Governor said, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to reiterate that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) have been asked to stay off our roads permanently.

“We also advice the Federal Road Safety Corps to stay on the fringes and highways and not on the main streets of Lagos. It has become evident that these agencies contribute to the traffic challenges on our roads.”

He said as an alternative, the State Government would employ technology to track and monitor vehicle registration and MOT certifications and de-emphasise impoundment of vehicles on the roads. Speaking on the interventions in Ojodu Berger, Governor Ambode said his administration at inception, identified the axis as one of the major traffic flashpoints that required urgent attention, adding that the decision was informed by the strategic importance of this axis being a major gateway into the State.

“What we set out to achieve with this project was to ensure smooth flow of traffic along the express, safeguard the lives of our people who had to run across the express and project the image of a truly global city to our visitors. Today, we are delighted that we have not only succeeded in transforming the landscape of this axis but with the slip road, lay bys and pedestrian bridge, we have given a new and pleasant experience to all entering and exiting our State.

“This project is the product of our innovative team of engineers, architects and town planners who have worked hard to create an innovative solution to tackle the challenges of this axis. I say a big thank you to the staff of the Lagos State Ministry of Works and the contractors – CCECC Nigeria Limited for a job well done,” he said.

To improve on the project, Governor Ambode said a food court would be built where people can relax before climbing the pedestrian bridge, as well as an interstate bus terminal within the Ojodu Berger axis for buses coming from outside Lagos to drop and load passengers, while intercity transportation system would move commuters within the city. Besides, the Governor assured that his traffic interventions would not only stop at the Ojodu Berger axis, but would be an ongoing process to create solutions to traffic congestion in every part of the State.

“If your neighbourhood or community is experiencing traffic challenges, be rest assured that we will soon be there. We will always ensure that promises made are promises kept. We will continue to rely on the support of all segments of the population for regular tax payments, obeying the rule of law and protection of public infrastructure. That is the only way we can progress and achieve our goal of being one of the world’s top centres for business, entertainment and leisure,” he said.

While alluding to the fact that the State has lived up to its reputation as a land of possibilities, Governor Ambode also expressed confidence that the future prospects of the State was promising and that the journey of the next fifty years has commenced on a very sound and solid footing. Earlier, in his opening remarks, the State’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya said the project was conceived by the State Government as a response to the yearnings of the people of Ojodu Berger Community for an improved, efficient and grid lock free road network, as well as the need to preserve the sanctity of life of Lagosians who hitherto were endangered by the need to cross the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Akinsanya, who is also overseeing the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, gave the scope of the project to include 98m pedestrian bridges with illumination, 150m length lay-bys on both sides of the expressway, 500m length of retaining wall with varying height from 3.5m to 7m and two multi-by bus park/bus lay-bys on Ogunnusi road with public convenience.

Other scope of the project included 650m slip road connecting traffic outward the expressway to Omole/Olowora Junction, 700m Ogunnusi/Wakatiadura dual road from Kosoko road junction to the expressway, 250m PWC Road to the expressway, street lighting on all the roads and multi-bay bus parks, signalization of all junctions, pedestrian walkway and drainage infrastructure, among others.

SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
 CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
MAY 16, 2017

EKO O'NI BAJE: NEWLY BUILT PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AT BERGER COMMISSIONED TODAY !

This is the newly built Pedestrian Bridge at Berger along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It was built and will be commissioned today by the Lagos state government. The commissioning is part of the achievements to be displayed at the Lagos at 50 celebrations. Welldone to our governor. See more photos after the cut...





Thursday 11 May 2017

"WE CREATE PANIC AT PARTY TO STEAL CARS"~~ ROBBERY SUSPECTS

Sylvester Agara,30, an armed robbery suspect, yesterday told our correspondent that his gang used to create panic at public functions in Lagos metropolis to steal cars.

Agara, who was arrested alongside two other members of gang – Yusuf Oyebanji (25) and Ifeanyi Eze (35) – were arrested on April 19 by the officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Command.

 The fourth member of the gang, identified simply as Zakari, is still at large. Agara said his members would dress guests and attend any function where they want to rob.

According to him, the gang members would suddenly raise the alarm that something is burning outside the venue of the function thereby causing anxiety

He said that in the midst of the commotion, they would steal their targeted car.