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Tag: Lagos Government

  • MC Oluomo gives reason for collecting N800 from transporters in Lagos

    MC Oluomo gives reason for collecting N800 from transporters in Lagos

    Chairman of the Lagos State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo) has explained that the collection of N800 from transporters in the state, by his members, “is strictly for the Lagos State government tickets for consolidated transport levy, not union fee.”

     

    In his words: “The state government, in January, introduced a daily N800 consolidated informal transport levy for transporters in the state.”

     

    MC Oluomo said the Union has no right to stop the selling of the tickets since they are for the state government.

     

    Recall that MC Oulomo was suspended indefinitely for an act of insubordination by the national body of NURTW.

     

    He was accused of inciting members against national leadership and fronting for Tricycle operators in Lagos.

     

    In his response to the “act of insubordination” brought against him by the national body of NURTW, MC Oluomo stated that he faithfully complied with the laws guiding the union’s operations and vowed.

     

    “I vow never to do anything that will tarnish the image of the union nor bring the union back to the inglorious position of being branded as thugs and disturbers of the public peace in Lagos,” he stated.

     

     

  • Accident: Lagos Government shuts Ojodu Grammar School

    Accident: Lagos Government shuts Ojodu Grammar School

    The Lagos State government has asked the students of the Babs Fafunwa Millennium Senior Grammar School (Formerly Ojodu Grammar School), Ojodu to stay at home until school resumption in January 2022.

    The Assistant Director of Public Affairs at the State Ministry of Education, Ganiu Lawal, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu is sympathising with the parents who lost their children in the incident that occurred on Tuesday.

    “He understands that this is a difficult time for them, praying that the Lord will comfort them,” it said. “He empathises with the parents and guardians of other students in the state health facilities, assuring them of the best medical attention.”

    The government confirmed that two students died on the spot while 12 others comprising seven girls and five boys sustained varying degrees of injuries.

    Noting that it would be responsible for the medical expenses of all the students, the government also confirmed that some students who had slight injuries have been discharged.

    The Commissioner for Education in Lagos, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, who visited the school on behalf of the governor, described the incident as quite unfortunate and devastating.

    She also visited the medical centres where the students were being treated in company with other officials of the state government.

    According to the commissioner, arrangements are being made for trauma counselling sessions for students and teachers in person and via helplines.

    “We are working with professional counsellors and trauma experts to support us in helping students and teachers pass through this challenging time,” she said.

  • Lagos Government speaks on reactions trailing #EndSARS panel report indicting Army, Police, others

    Lagos Government speaks on reactions trailing #EndSARS panel report indicting Army, Police, others

    The Lagos State Government has officially reacted to the comments trailing the viral report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters submitted to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday.

    The panel was commissioned by the state government to look into the events of October 2020, including the shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate, and review cases of police brutality.

    Since leaked report became public knowledge on Monday shortly after it was presented to the governor, the media space has been awash with different reactions.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the leaked report had indicted officers of the Nigerian Army and Police for killing “unarmed helpless and defenseless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian Flag and singing the National Anthem” at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.

    However, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso on Wednesday night, the state government said: “There have been arguments in the public space over the report. There is a need for us to restrain ourselves from nullifying the good intentions of the government in setting up this panel, which was well encouraged to do its job, a fact that was acknowledged by the panel.

    “In accordance with the Tribunal of Inquiry Law 2015, a committee has been set up to bring up a White Paper on the report to determine the next line of action. At the appropriate time, the government will make known its views on all the issues raised by the panel through the release of a White Paper.”

  • #EndSARS report: We look forward to your responses, US tells FG, Lagos Government

    #EndSARS report: We look forward to your responses, US tells FG, Lagos Government

    The United States on Tuesday said it was looking forward to a response from the Lagos state government after the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry submitted its final report.

    The panel was commissioned by the state government to look into the events of October 2020, including the shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate, and review cases of police brutality.

    “The United States welcomes the conclusion of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry with the transmission of its final report,” a statement from the US Embassy in Lagos said.

    “We look forward to the Lagos State government’s response as part of a process that represents an important mechanism of accountability regarding the #EndSARS protests and the events that took place near the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.

    “Those events led to serious allegations against some members of the security forces, and we look forward to the Lagos State and federal governments taking suitable measures to address those alleged abuses as well as the grievances of the victims and their families.”

  • Lagos Government activates COVID-19 oxygen treatment, sample collection centres statewide

    Lagos Government activates COVID-19 oxygen treatment, sample collection centres statewide

    The Lagos State Government has fully activated 10 COVID-19 Oxygen Treatment and Sample Collection centres.

    As part of efforts to mitigate the effect of the third wave of the pandemic in the state, the government has also activated 20 Local Government Area (LGA) based sample collection sites.

    The Commissioner for Health in Lagos, Professor Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this on Thursday while reviewing reports of operations at the centres said they were activated through the Incident Command Structure of the government.

    He stated that the centres which were established during the first and second waves of the pandemic have been rejigged and reinvigorated to provide swift oxygen therapy to residents who require it and easy access to COVID-19 testing for people who needed to test for the infection.

    Abayomi explained that the oxygen treatment and sample collection centres were established as dual-purpose facilities and strategically located in 10 local government areas with a high burden of COVID-19 infection cases, to provide oxygen support and serve as COVID sample collection base to residents.

    “The 20 Local Government Area (LGA) Based COVID-19 Sample Collection Sites are community-based sites operated by the medical officers of health in each of the 20 LGAs and supervised by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with the Lagos State Biobank to increase the ease of access of residents to testing,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by the spokesman for the ministry, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.

    “The reactivation of these centres and sites are part of the strategies adopted in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 infection occasioned by the third wave of new strains.

    “The Oxygen Treatment Centres will support patients with oxygen while the LGA based sample collection sites will service patients with any of the COVID-19 symptoms or who are exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case.”

    The commissioner said the government was doing all within its powers to ramp up testing and improve its management of COVID-19 cases by providing residents with support and seamless access to quality and efficient COVID-19 care services, to lower the curve of the third wave and prevent the infection from further spreading.

    He urged those who would be visiting the centres to observe and adhere strictly to the use of face masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene, as part of the protocols to prevent the spread of the infection at the sites.

    Abayomi said officials at the sites have been instructed to ensure full compliance to COVID-19 protocols.

  • COVID-19: What we are doing to avoid third wave – Lagos Government

    COVID-19: What we are doing to avoid third wave – Lagos Government

    The Lagos State Government says all its facilities have been placed on high alert to pick up early trends that may suggest a third wave of COVID-19 in the state.

    Prof. Akin Abayomi, the state’s Commissioner for Health, in a statement on Monday, said the state was set to take steps to prevent another wave of COVID-19, following the flattening of the second wave.

    Abayomi warned that a trigger for a third wave of COVID-19 in Lagos was likely to be importation of new COVID-19 strains from inbound travelers.

    He noted that all strides gained in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic would be lost without improved border surveillance against the importation of new and mutant strains, which may trigger a third wave.

    “Currently, countries like India, Brazil, Argentina, Iraq, Qatar, Peru and Uruguay are being ravaged by a vicious third or fourth wave following a less active and insignificant second or third wave.

    “The latest wave in India has been proven to be as a result of new mutant strains that have resulted in a dramatic increase in sickness and death for two weeks running.

    “Whilst we commiserate with countries like these, it is important that we protect our environment and residents against this virus.

    “Especially as we have only less than one per cent of our population that have received their first dose of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine similar to India that have about eight per cent,” he said.

    Abayomi said the state government had authorised immediate measures to fully enforce recent the protocol announced by the Federal Government for every inbound traveler.

    According to him, the protocols include banning entry to non-Nigerian passengers who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey in the last fortnight due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in the three countries.

    The commissioner said Nigerians and permanent residents of Nigeria who had been in those countries in the last 14 days would have to undergo mandatory quarantine for a week in a government-approved facility on arrival.

    “All passengers arriving in Nigeria will now have to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel rather than the previous 96 hours period.

    “I have hence instructed that all these protocols would be made more stringent to protect the residents of Lagos State from an impending third wave.

    “As part of these protocols, passengers are to mandatorily isolate for the required seven days and will be strictly monitored through phone calls by our EKOTELEMED platform and physical visits to the passengers’ homes by our surveillance teams,” he said.

    He warned that anyone that flouted the rule, or gave a fake phone number or address to evade the protocol would be identified.

    He said such persons would be made to mandatorily isolate at any government or public private partnership isolation centres or identified hotels for 10 days at their cost.

    The commissioner added that the defaulters would be fined, while the passports of the indigenous passengers would be forwarded to the authorities for deactivation and foreigners may be subject to deportation.

    According to him, the state will also improve its capacity to conduct additional analysis on all positive cases to assist in determining the predominant strains in the environment.

    “This, I am certain, will help us gather relevant analytic intelligence that is critical for planning and defining treatment protocols,” he said.

    Abayomi advised residents not to assume the worst was over by going on without adhering to any precautionary measures.

    “Residents are still advised to stick to the laid down protocols of always wearing facemasks in public gatherings, washing of hands and maintaining social distancing, even after receiving the vaccine,” he said.

    Abayomi added that the state would continue to improve all its systems against any eventuality.

  • [VIDEO] DJ Switch resurfaces, attacks Lagos government, celebrities

    [VIDEO] DJ Switch resurfaces, attacks Lagos government, celebrities

    Nigerian entertainer, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch has called out the Lagos State Government over plans to auction 88 cars seized from traffic offenders in the state.

    The Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement Unit) disclosed that it obtained a court order from the Lagos State Mobile Court to auction 88 forfeited vehicles.

    The vehicles were impounded for driving against the traffic in different parts of the state.

    According to Shola Jejeloye, the chairman of the agency, the owners of the vehicles were arraigned before the mobile court, which ordered the forfeiture.

    Also, the public auction is expected to hold on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 according to Jejeloye, at the agency’s car park, Alausa, Ikeja.

    Reacting to the new development on Tuesday in an Instagram video, DJ Switch, the lady who streamed live the shooting of protesters by soldiers at the Lekki Toll Gate on 20 October, slammed the state government for taking such an action when it could have fined the offenders or sent them to jail.

    She also accused the Lagos state government of being criminals adding that what’s remaining of them was to carry guns around.

    DJ Switch also called out her fellow celebrities for not speaking up against this decision by the state government to auction the cars of the traffic offenders.

    ”I just read on the news that the Lagos State Environmental Unit or whatever, through their inept and corrupt mobile court gave the order for people’s cars to be auctioned off, to be sold off.

    “What happened to fines? Why can’t you fine these people? Give them something to pay or better still a minimum jail term. A weekend in jail or community service.

    “All of a sudden you want to sell off the vehicles. You are a thief. Lagos state government is a thief.

    “You are short of just carrying guns. It is guns that is remaining for you. You are a thief. ‘

    ”I am very certain that a lot of these people that their cars are there are crying out but nobody knows them. Where are our celebrities?

    “The government didn’t even come up with creative ways to distract us and we are distracted. We have still not seen anyone dragged to jail over Lekki massacre.

    “SARS is still running up and down the streets of this country, and nobody is doing anything about it. I can go on with a list of so many things going wrong.”

  • BREAKING: Cross-over night service violators risk N500,000 fine – Lagos Government

    BREAKING: Cross-over night service violators risk N500,000 fine – Lagos Government

    Information reaching TheNewsGuru.com, TNG has that Lagos residents who violate the 12 am to 4 am curfew imposed by the Federal Government and other protocols would be fined up to N500, 000 when caught.

    Recall that the government emphasised that all churches in the state must respect the curfew in place and avoid physical crossover services and large gatherings on December 31, 2020.

    The government stressed that all churches in the state must respect the curfew in place and avoid physical crossover services and large gatherings on December 31, 2020.

    Explaining the the newly imposed fine on violators, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday said: “If you flout any of these rules, you can be fined. You will be taken to court and the magistrate will decide on the sanction. The fine can be between N20,000 and N500,000. It depends on the magistrate’s discretion.

    “But it is not just about punishing people. People are being advised to take responsibility. The regulations were rolled out as an advisory and people have been obeying while people who have disobeyed have faced the consequences.”

    The commissioner, however, expressed optimism that religious leaders in the state would comply with the directive of the government on the crossover services.

    Omotoso said, “With what we have been seeing, I don’t think churches will flout the protocols. CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) is in agreement with the government. Covid cases are going up and everybody is worried. Some of the giant churches have also announced that they won’t be holding physical crossover services.

    “The Lagos State Government has also told them that there is a curfew by midnight to 4am imposed by the Federal Government. Many of the churches have been adjusting their programmes. Churches are well-organised and we believe they will comply.”

  • Commuters berate Lagos Govt as ban on Okadas, tricycles commences today [Photos]

    Commuters berate Lagos Govt as ban on Okadas, tricycles commences today [Photos]

    Major roads and highways in Lagos State were deserted by okada and tricycle riders on Saturday as the ban on them from plying certain routes in the metropolis takes effect.

    But several commuters have to pay the price as many were seen trekking long distance as there were no okada riders to take them to their destinations.

    Recall that the Lagos State Government had last Monday banned okada and tricycle riders in 15 councils, major highways and all bridges across the State, with effect from 1 February.

    Deserted street in CMS without okadas, tricycles

    There was massive compliance by okada and tricycle riders to the ban as they stayed away to avoid being arrested by the police and their motorcycles seized.

    At CMS bus stop, everywhere was cleared as there was no okada or tricycle rider on sight as commuters who could not get vehicles on time resorted to trekking.

    Passengers in areas such as Lawanson, Shitta, Ijesha, Cele Bus stop, Ojuelegba, Mushin, and Iyana-Isolo were left stranded at bus stops while some decided to take the long walk down to their destination.

    There were few security patrols in some of the highways and major roads that were outlined by the Lagos State Government as restriction for Okada and Keke. Just a handful of Okada and Keke were seen on the roads trying to maneuver their way from the eyes of the Lagos State Task Force.

    In Ikeja, okada riders and tricycles obeyed the ban except for some few adventurous ones who were out to make brisk money.

    At the Old Abeokuta Road, several people were seen trekking down to Abattoir as there were no okadas and tricycles to convey them to their destination.

    Meanwhile, commuters have started lamenting the ban and the pains they have to go through to get to their destination. They said government should have rolled out and tested alternatives before effecting the ban.

    A visibly angry and stranded commuter said: “Now that Gokada, Max Okada and Oride are banned, hope you know it’s not just the cyclist that will lose his job. The secretary in Gokada office, the HR, the trainers, the managers, the cleaner, the gateman, the app manager, the developer and so on. It’s a long term menace.”

    Deserted street in CMS without okadas, tricycles

    An okada user on twitter simply said: “Lagos state government did not provide ONE BUS. They just banned Okada and keke and said, yall go fuck yourselves. In 2023, you people will go out like sheep and vote for them and say, “Jimi Agbaje is not talking” Take your city back from these bastards.”

    Another enraged user said: “I came out of the house this morning only to notice the streets of Lagos Island was clear without a sight of Okada or Keke. After Trekking for 35 mins to Obalende, I got a bus to Yaba. Now I can’t even start the project because of fatigue. Nigerians are suffering on the street of Lagos.”
    In his response, Olusoga Owoeye said “many Nigerians have absorbed the culture of now-now and it is dangerous, each time I ask an Okada man what he will be doing at 65, they go blank! How do you immerse your youthful energy in a job that won’t build your old age. We don’t have plumbers anymore.”
    However, The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the compliance of commercial motorcycle (Okada) and Tricycle (Keke) operators to the ban and restriction in the state was “pretty good”.

    The LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olajide Oduyoye, said on Saturday that there would not be fight or argument with any operator who willingly complied with the law.

    He said that officers of the authority were on ground for the enforcement of the extant law on Okada and Keke operations from today (Feb 1).

    “The compliance is pretty good for the first day. We hope to see that a lot will comply more and more. Operators must keep doing what the law says. There is no problem; once there is compliance, there is no need for any enforcement. There is no need for any fight or any incident on the road. It is just for the people to just comply and that is it,” Oduyoye said.

    The LASTMA boss said the enforcement was to control the unrestrained behaviour and recklessness of the operators in the state which contributed to the traffic bottlenecks in the state.

    The traffic manager explained that the operations of tricycle and motorcycle riders had also been creating traffic bottlenecks and chaos in the state and accused them of regularly riding against traffic.

    “The difficulty we always have is this Keke and Okada riding against traffic and causing a lot of traffic chaos.

    “When a minor accident happens with Keke scratching a vehicle and there is an argument, it disrupts the traffic flow. That made our jobs a lot more difficult. So, now that they are going to be off the major highways, our work will be much easier. The motorists creating traffic chaos will not have Keke or Okada to blame again

    “LASTMA officers are up to the task. We are going to do our job as diligently as we are supposed to,’’ Oduyoye said.

    Shitta Bus Stop

    According to him, “we will operate where we are supposed to operate and work to make sure that traffic is flowing as much as possible.

    “We expect that since so many junctions and corners will be free of Keke and Okada parks and loitering; when enforcement comes up, there will be better traffic flow in Lagos State from today,” Oduyoye added.

    According into him, if the operators had stayed within the ambit of the law and operate within the law, there won’t be problem as a lot of people still rely on them.

    “We can see their apprehension and likely pain; but I blame the operators for misbehaving in such a way that their operations become security and safety issues.

    “No responsible government will sit back and allow this to grow and to grow out of hand; which is exactly what is happening,” he added.

  • Lagos shuts down Shina Peller’s Quilox club

    A popular Club Quilox, Victoria Island belonging to a member of the House of Representatives, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa, Oyo state, Shina Peller has been sealed off by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency.

    According to the Special Adviser to the governor on New Media, Jubril Gawat, who made this known in a tweet on Monday, said the club was shut over Noise Pollution and Traffic Congestion.