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Tag: Lagos Government

  • Disregard stop work order by Lagos Govt, FG tells dredgers

    The Federal Government on Monday asked dredgers to disregard a stop-work order issued to them by the Lagos State Government.

    In a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Mohammed Abass, in Abuja, the Federal Government said federal laws were superior to state laws as far as mining and inland waterways were concerned.

    Abass also accused the Lagos State Government of distorting a recent ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on dredging activities, adding that federal law officers were still studying the particulars of the case.

    He said, “The attention of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has been drawn to a recent ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos and several reports ascribed to various officials of the Lagos State Government regarding a purported stop work order issued to duly licensed dredgers operating in the state.

    “While our legal officers are studying the judgment of the Court of Appeal relating to the particulars of the case in question, in the interim; we wish to ask all duly licensed dredgers to disregard the stop work order issued by the Lagos State Government and to continue their lawful operations.

    “Particularly, we wish to frown at the way officials of the Lagos State Government have gone about deliberately distorting the pronouncement of the appeal court in this matter.

    “It is trite to state that by virtue of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), federal laws in respect of the administration of mining activities and utility of inland waterways supersede those of states.”

    Abass added, “A cursory review of the ruling of the learned justices of the Court of Appeal indicates a clear recognition of the powers and responsibilities of the various arms and organs of government with respect to the administration of mining and inland waterways.

    “We are therefore at a loss as to why officials of the Lagos State Government will wilfully attempt to inverse the ruling of the court to suit their much-anticipated outcome. The learned justices were clear about the extent and limitation of powers of the various arms of government.

    “The ministry takes this development with all seriousness and solemn commitment. We hereby call on all legitimate dredgers to disregard the order and continue with their lawful operations without let or hindrance.”

    Abass said the Federal Government had already begun the process of consultations with all relevant and affected arms and agencies of government.

    He expressed optimism that an amicable resolution of the issue would be reached in no time and expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to implement the ruling of the court.

  • Lagos Govt empties 12,600 tonnes of waste from streets In 10 days

    The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment in collaboration with Visionscape has cleared over 12,600 metric tonnes of waste from 80 locations in different parts of the State within 10 days in an exercise tagged ‘Operation Deep Clean’.

    The cleanup of refuse dumps all over the State began in July. Visionscape has been clearing up black spots officially referred to as illegal waste dump sites.

    Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare in a statement affirmed the government’s resolve to rid the state of refuse heaps and solicited the support of all residents for the soon-to-be fully launched Cleaner Lagos Initiative.

    “Since the exercise began, over 80 locations across the State have been covered and we are building momentum in spite of the heavy rainfall this season. We are building a new culture of waste management in Lagos State. We are optimistic that all communities in Lagos State will see overall benefits of this drive to put an integrated waste management system in place “, he said.

    Many Lagosians have commended Operation Deep Clean, positing that the impact would be phenomenal once it spreads to all parts of the state.

    Speaking in an interview, Mrs Abiodun Yusuff, a shop owner in Egbeda area of the state, said the good job being done by the government deserved commendation, adding that the government was silently revolutionizing waste management in the state. She said the positive impact of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative is being felt in the state.

    “I was getting worried about the seriousness of the State Government to address waste management because at some point and even in some areas now, you still find heaps of refuse on the road. But I commend the government officials for the good job they did in our area. My only charge to them is that they should not relent but keep on cleaning everywhere and ensure that the state is free of waste,” she said.

    A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Prince Yakub Abiola Aromasodu has also commended the Lagos State Government for the prompt evacuation of debris from Akobi Crescent in Surulere, saying that the development attests to the commitment of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to address waste management in line with international best practices.

    Following the torrential rain in the state last week, many areas including Akobi Crescent were flooded and overtaken by debris, with people unable to access their streets and homes. Within hours, officials of the Ministry of Environment including the Commissioner were on site and the new waste management partner of the State Government, Visionscape, moved to the area and cleaned it up.

    Responding to the development, Aromasodu, who also resides in Surulere, said the fact that the debris was evacuated within few hours speaks volumes about the ability of the State Government to appropriately respond to issues affecting the state.

    Aromasodu, who is a former PDP Youth Leader in Lagos State and former Coordinator of National Programme for Eradication of Poverty (NAPEP) in the state, said government must now intensify the campaign to educate the people on desisting from dumping waste in drainage channels and on highways and streets.

    “I must commend the State Government and particularly Governor Ambode for the swift response in addressing the situation. I was worried myself when I saw the pictures of Akobi Crescent online showing how the situation was but within hours, the whole area was cleaned up. This is simply a serious confirmation of the fact that the government of the day is committed to transforming the waste management sector as the Governor has said on several occasions and I want to ask them to keep up the good work,” Aromasodu said.

    Over 80 locations have been cleared up spanning from Abijo along Lekki Expressway in Eti Osa Local Government, Oke Afa Bridge around Oke Afa Bus Stop in Ejigbo, Osapa Junction in Lekki, Awori-Oniyaya/Balogun Ilawe in Agege, Alabama Suru Market in Ifelodun area, Durbar Road, Mile 2 (Jakande Estates) Amuwo Odofin, Olaogun Street in Ebute Meta Yaba, Roju Avenue in Kosofe/Ojota, Church Bus Stop at Igando Road, Igando Ikotun, St Finbars College in Akoka, Moshood Abiola Model Market in Agege Lagos, among others.