TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagos Govt gives update on Apapa gridlock

    Lagos Govt gives update on Apapa gridlock

    Lagos State Government has said the Apapa traffic gridlock has improved, just as it urged terminal operators to support the interventions put in place to end the traffic gridlock in Apapa and its environs.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Transportation, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka disclosed this during an operation review meeting with terminal operators at the Tin Can Island ports in Apapa.

    Fayinka, who also doubles as the Chairman, Traffic Management Enforcement Team, declared that the meeting is in continuation of efforts to enlist the support of all critical stakeholders in the Ports at Apapa to eliminate traffic gridlock which has the Terminal Operators playing a critical role.

    He noted that traffic in and out of Apapa and its environs has improved drastically, saying “If you come in through Eko Bridge, Ijora, Sifas or Iganmu, the road is free. The only problem we are having now is from Area B to the Port”.

    Speaking on the plan to bring Shippers to the round table so that they can be in sync with the transport initiative of the present administration, Fayinka said, “We have actually met with Shippers Council and they told us they are ready. We have agreed that the next meeting will be to engage the Shippers Council, the truckers, the terminal operators, Nigerian Ports Authority and every other stakeholder, so that they can all reveal their challenges”.

    “This is necessary because we will want the Shippers Council to be up and doing in the evacuation of empty containers. It is their responsibility to remove empty containers from blocking the roads”, he disclosed.

    The Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Mr. Adele Elijah, while charging terminal operators on the need to support the e-call up system, noted that the time of making excuses is over and everyone must cooperate with the State Government on Apapa traffic gridlock intervention.

    “The traffic situation has to be drastically reduced so that even your businesses can thrive. When the road is free, the turnover for you will be high. Traffic causes health, security, environmental and other societal problems. I am begging us, let us make this work”, the LG Chairman said.

    Also speaking at the event, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Sola Giwa, informed the terminal operators to automate their operations and sync up effectively with the ETO system designed to sequence and batch trucks coming into the ports.

    Giwa also revealed that Truckers have expressed frustrations at some of the actions of the Holding Bay operators, adding that 48 hours evacuation will be executed at Tincan just as it was done at Apapa Ports which was effective.

    In her response, Princess Vicky Hastrup, Chairman Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), stressed that the existence of Petroleum Tank Farms within Apapa area was the beginning of the traffic woes of the area. She asked the State Government to engage the Federal Government and relocate the Tank Farms as the State was sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

    However, the terminal operators promised the State Government that they will not constitute any form of encumbrance to the current intervention in place to end the traffic gridlock in Apapa and its environs.

    The Forum also advised Tincan Port Operators to inform the authorities about members of staff and other officials indulging in sharp practices detrimental to the entire process.

  • Lagos police open up on viral news of kidnapping on Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge

    Lagos police open up on viral news of kidnapping on Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge

    The Lagos State Police Command has allayed the fears of the general public, particularly residents of Lekki-Ikoyi axis on the viral news that Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge has become a kidnappers’ den and security threat to people who live in the area as well as those plying the route.

    A statement signed by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi (Mnipr), Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, noted that the Command was taken aback with the viral news on social media platforms that the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge is dangerous and should be avoided because many innocent citizens have been kidnapped and ransom paid.

    CSP Adejobi stated categorically that nothing is further from the truth, stressing that there was never any kidnapping or information relating to such incident in the area according to the records of the Command, either on the 12th March, 2021, as being speculated, or before the date. He said the rumours are being peddled by mischief makers for reasons best known to them.

    The Public Affairs Officer asserted that the link bridge is being safeguarded by the Rapid Response Squad’s team and Police operatives attached to Ikoyi Division on 24-hour basis, in addition to having a makeshift structure as an operational room at a strategic location along the bridge, as well as the deployment of one serviceable Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to complement the security arrangement in the area.

    Adejobi said, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has appealed to the general public to disregard the news and move freely on all roads and in all areas of Lagos State as no road or area has been declared a ‘No Go Area’ in the State”.

  • Lagos State takes delivery of COVID-19 vaccines from FG

    Lagos State takes delivery of COVID-19 vaccines from FG

    Lagos State has received doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Federal Government.

    This was disclosed on Tuesday by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu while speaking at the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation held at Police College, Ikeja.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State Government received the vaccines at 4am on Tuesday, noting that the vaccines have been kept in a safe place.

    He assured Lagosians that the State government will soon commence the vaccinations in line with the scheduled guidelines laid down by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

    Governor Sanwo-Olu also implored Lagosians to continue to keep to all the COVID-19 protocols like wearing of facemasks, washing and sanitising their hands and observing social distance.

    Recall that last week, Nigeria took delivery of about four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines as part of an overall 16 million doses planned to be delivered to the country in batches over the next few months.

    The vaccines were provided by COVAX, in an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday received shots of the COVID-19 vaccines at the State House, Abuja, and since then other eminent Nigerians have also received it.

  • Jubilation as Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 1.4km Agege Flyover

    Jubilation as Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 1.4km Agege Flyover

    Residents, market unions, youth groups and various cultural groups on Friday took to the streets of Agege to celebrate the inauguration of the Agege Flyover.

    As early as 9:00 am various cultural groups mostly youths in different clusters danced under the flyover and in various adjoining streets.

    Various tents were erected around the Iju bound lane under the bridge intersection bearing names of various lawmakers representating the area, council leaders and market groups with the supporters colorfully dressed.

    Security was beefed up on the bridge where the governor was to perform the inauguration, however, the celebration spread there as visitors were screened in by security operatives.

    The event was attended by the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa who was escorted to the event by all the 40 lawmakers representating various constituencies.

    The Master of Ceremony taking a roll call of all the lawmakers one after the other gave them the opportunity to greet the people of Agege one after the other.

    Obasa who represents Agege constituency dressed in the same African print popularly called Ankara with other All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftains, leaders and supporters who were all in high spirits.

    The arrival of the governor brightened celebrations.

    The crowd went into a frenzy with the arrival of the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu as shouts of “Jagaban!”rent the air.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye while taking her opening speech, listed recently inaugurated projects which demonstrated the administration’s commitment not to leave any division behind in its road construction and regeneration drive.

    Adeyoye announced that “by the grace of God we shall be inviting you soon to yet another commissioning of the completed Ariyo (Mile 10), Ira-MuwoIra-Muwo Bridge in Ojo Local Government Area”.

    She said the Agege flyover project would boost investment, support businesses, promote economic development and ultimately improve the socio-economic well-being of Lagos residents.

    “The Pen Cinema intersection as you all know is one of the busiest in Lagos, given its conflicts around the six major routes leading into it. namely Abule Egba, Ogba, Agege Oja, Iyana Ipaja, and Iju,” she said.

    The special adviser said that the project was embarked upon to tackle the daily gridlock in the Agege axis, with thousands of motorists spending hours with the accompanying travel inconvenience, loss of productive man-hours resulting in trauma and stress.

    “The solution to this traffic transportation problem was conceived in September 2017 in the construction of a Flyover across the Pen-Cinema intersection in addition to the spur linking Old Abeokuta Road.

    “This landmark project aside changing the skyline of the area would indeed ease traffic gridlock tremendously.

    “The project in its entirety consist of a dual carriageway 1.4km, Flyover Bridge component with 2 lanes of 3.65m width each in either direction with ramps, including the rehabilitation of five adjoining roads,” she said

    She commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s, commitment towards the delivery of strategic link roads and bridges in line with the State Strategic Transportation Master Plan (STMP) and THEMES developmental Agenda.

    Also, the Chairman, Agege Local Government Area, Mr Ganiyu Egunjobi, while delivering his message of goodwill, renamed two major roads after the National Leader of the APC and the governor of the state.

    Egunjobi said that the “benefits of having the bridge constructed are enormous” and he thanked the Sanwo-Olu administration for completing the project.

    He also thanked Tinubu for laying the foundation for progress in the state and renamed the Old Ipaja Road to now bear Bola Tinubu Road.

    He also renamed Dopemu Road as Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road while thanking residents for their patience and understanding during the period of construction of the flyover.

    The 1.4kms bridge with ramps constructed from precast/pre-stressed reinforced materials was awarded in January 2018.

    The Agege Pen Cinema flyover was conceived to transmit vehicular traffic across intersections at Agege to tackle gridlock on the axis.

  • JUST IN: Disaster averted at Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport, Lagos

    JUST IN: Disaster averted at Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport, Lagos

    Disaster was averted on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos after fire engulfed a session of the airport.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the fire incident occurred at the office of the station manager of Kenyan airways.

    A source said the fire incident started from a faulty air conditioner (AC) at the station manager’s office.

    “But everything under control now,” the source told TNG.

    Firefighters from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) helped to subdue the fire.

  • LIVE VIDEO: One-way driver knocks police officer off bridge in Lagos

    LIVE VIDEO: One-way driver knocks police officer off bridge in Lagos

    Apolice officer on Wednesday escaped death after a one-way driver of an SUV knocked him off a bridge in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on New Media, Jubril Gawat has said the incident would be investigated.

    The police officer was knocked off the bridge by the reckless driver who was resisting arrest while passing one-way and the incident was recorded live on camera.

    Gawat confirmed “the officer is not dead” but “broke an arm” and is in “critical condition”. He stated that the official is presently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    See video of the incident below:

    https://twitter.com/bizzleosikoya/status/1364735658997260292?s=19

     

  • JUST IN: Disaster averted at Murtala Mohammed Airport; FAAN shuts down runway

    JUST IN: Disaster averted at Murtala Mohammed Airport; FAAN shuts down runway

    A major disaster was averted at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos State on Tuesday evening, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports.

    Disaster was averted when an Azman Air aircraft with registration 5N SYS and flight number ZQ2325 had a tyre burst on landing.

    TNG reports the incident caused the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to shut down the runway.

    FAAN in a statement revealed that it only temporarily closed the Runway 18R/36L at the Airport.

    The airport authority stated that all passengers and crew on board the aircraft were safely evacuated and that investigation into the incident has started.

    FAAN also stated that work is going on to ensure the aircraft is towed out of the runway, so as to restore normalcy.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria hereby announces a temporary closure of Runway 18R/36L at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

    “The closure is due to a landing incident involving a Boeing 737 Azman Air aircraft with registration 5N SYS, and flight number ZQ2325. The aircraft had a tyre burst after landing on this runway.

    “All passengers and crew on board the aircraft were safely evacuated at 1908 hours, and officials of FAAN Air Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, AIB and NAHCO are already working to ensure the aircraft is towed out of the runway, so as to restore normalcy”.

  • BREAKING: BRT bus conveying 45 passengers bursts into flames in Lagos

    BREAKING: BRT bus conveying 45 passengers bursts into flames in Lagos

    Passengers scampered for safety as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus conveying 45 persons suddenly caught fire on Monday close to Anthony Bus Stop, Ikorodu Road, Lagos, causing panic among road users.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, NEMA, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Lagos.

    Farinloye said the bus was en route TBS Terminal, Lagos Island, when the incident occured about 11 a.m.

    According to him, the bus involved in the incident was drafted to assist in conveying the passengers after the one which took off from Ikorodu terminal broke down.

    He said all the passengers were rescued unhurt by officials of the emergency response agencies.

    Farinloye said the agencies included NEMA, Police Disaster Management Unit as well as the Fire Service.

  • We were not prepared for my father’s death – Jakande son

    We were not prepared for my father’s death – Jakande son

    Son of the late former Governor of Lagos, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Mr Seyi Jakande, said on Sunday that the family was not prepared for the demise of their patriarch.

    Jakande, who served as governor between October 1979 and December 1983, died on April 11 at the age of 91, while his remains were interred on Feb. 12.

    Seyi, while speaking shortly after receiving Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who paid the family a condolence visit on Sunday in Lagos, said the family was planning to celebrate the late politician’s 92nd birthday in July before death struck on Thursday.

    “Though we had hoped that the death of Baba would not happen now because we were not prepared for it.

    “If at all we were preparing for anything, it was his 92nd birthday in July, because he kept giving us assurance that he would still spend more years on earth.

    “Sometime in June 2020, he was checking his 90th birthday cards and he said he would be 91 years by July, thanking God that he was still looking young.

    “He told us that he thought he was older but he was still looking young. But at 91, my father deserved everything he received during his burial, because of what he had done for the people of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole,” he told NAN.

    Seyi, who was Jakande’s third son, said that after living a fulfilled life, his father’s chapter had closed, saying that to him, it was a life well spent and a journey properly completed.

    According to him, this is the time for full assessment of Jakande’s life and times, urging leaders in the country to take his book, study it and make further progress on it.

    Seyi gave thanks to God for the life of the late politician, pointing out that his father would not have served humanity without serving God.

    “My father was known for service to humanity and that was exactly what he did till he breathed his last.

    “Even outside government, we recently stopped people from coming to his residence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we designed a date which we called ‘Sunday Clinic’, from 7 am. to 7 pm.

    “The clinic was an open door for him to help people in whatever capacity he could, particularly in terms of employment and housing, among others,” he said.

    Seyi, who described his father as a unique human being, added that he had left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

  • Gov Sanwo-Olu receives notes Late Lateef Jakande left for him

    Gov Sanwo-Olu receives notes Late Lateef Jakande left for him

    Three days after the passing of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the late first Civilian Governor of Lagos State literally came back alive, as his widow and other family members shared memories of his last moments and his unfulfilled goals with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Sanwo-Olu led a delegation of top Government functionaries in the State to the Fidau (Islamic funeral prayer) held for the late Jakande at his Ilupeju residence on Sunday, during which the Governor personally conveyed his condolences to the deceased’s immediate and extended family members.

    The visit came two days after the Governor attended the burial of the late Jakande at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, where the deceased’s remains were laid to rest.

    Jakande was the first politician to be elected as Executive Governor of Lagos, governing from 1979 to 1983. He died on February 11, 2021 at 91.

    Sanwo-Olu arrived at the deceased’s residence, at 10:23am, in company of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, and the State’s Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.

    Chairman of Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rasak Ajala, joined the widow, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, and her children to receive the Governor and his entourage.

    Before the prayers commenced, Sanwo-Olu held a meeting behind closed doors with the deceased’s family members, during which a close confidant of the late Jakande, Engr. Kamal Giwa, delivered two messages left for the Governor by the deceased. One of the messages is a personal ambition, which the late Jakande wanted fulfilled before his death.

    Jakande, the Governor said, was “tremendously outstanding” throughout his public career as the first Executive Governor of Lagos and as federal minister. Sanwo-Olu said Jakande’s achievements remained the guiding light for leaders across political divides, stressing that his “sterling” leadership qualities stood him out as one of the great men Lagos had produced.

    Sanwo-Olu urged the families to take solace in the legacy left by the former Governor, which, he said, remained indelible in the minds of the people who benefitted from his policies and programmes. The Governor said the manner in which Jakande passed away showed he led a fulfilled life and had departed to be at peace with his Creator.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “We give glory to Almighty Allah for giving Baba Jakande many years to live on earth. No matter how long we stay on the earth, we will leave when our time is up. As humans, we don’t like losing good people, especially a personality like Baba Jakande, who was tremendously outstanding in his service to humanity.

    “To have lived for 91 years, Allah has been gracious to him; despite his ripe age, Baba Jakande was not terminally ill or was being carried from one hospital to another before he breathed his last. This is a testimony that he led a good life. He was at peace with humankind and now, given the way he also left us peacefully, he is at peace with his Creator.”

    Sanwo-Olu said there could be nothing more consoling for the State Government than the deceased’s enduring legacy projects dotting the State’s landscape, stressing that all Jakande laboured for had remained standing from about 40 years till date.

    The Governor described the late Jakande as “a builder”, who laid a foundation for the Lagos Project on which his successors had built. His exit, Sanwo-Olu said, is loss that could not be quantified, noting that the former Governor had been immortalised before his passing and would be duly immortalised.

    He said: “With every sense of humility, I can say Baba Jakande was a builder of our time, who laid foundation on which all of us have been building layers on. He was decent, humble and reflected what humanity stands for. His achievements in public service are a legacy that all of us in position of leadership must hold dear and reflect upon.

    “The entire citizens of Lagos appreciate the service of this great man, who has just been called to the great beyond. The experience and all values we learnt from Baba Jakande will not be lost on us. He was a great man who lived in our time. We take solace in the fact that he led a life worthy of emulation.”

    Alhaja Jakande said the Governor’s presence brought an uplifting moment to the family in their period of mourning. She prayed for the success of the Governor in office, while also urging Sanwo-Olu to protect the legacy of her husband.

    She said: “For us, there is nothing more consoling than the legacy of the late Jakande throughout his public service and private life. These achievements must be protected and built upon. This visit by our Governor and members of his entourage in this period of mourning has given us an uplifting effect. It reassures us that the Government and the people of Lagos have continued to appreciate the Jakande family for the legacy my husband left behind.”