TheNewsGuru

Tag: LASG

  • LASG warns residents over structures on waterways

    Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has warned residents to stop building structures on waterways.

    Oke-Osanyintolu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that indiscriminate building on waterways was largely responsible for flooding in the state.

    “Residents should stop building structures to prevent the free flow of water.

    “The government will re-enforce laws against illegal structure but with a human face; we will reconstruct, reorganised and redeveloped every area in Lagos.

    “Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Lagos State as a state of emergency.

    “By this, we are improving on our infrastructure and LASEMA is well equipped to carry out a reorganisation of our mode of building.

    “Lagos residents should key into the vision of the state government.

    “We are appealing to our citizens that though we will talk, we will also act because we are ready for the job,’’ said.

    Oke-Osanyintolu said that the governor after going around Lagos metropolis declared emergency on roads, sanitation and environment.

    He said that one of the missions of the present administration was to look into enforcement of the state law, especially on waste disposal.

    He said that there was a need for Lagos residents to imbibe positive behavioural change to enable the government to achieve its aims of protecting the lives and property of citizens.

    The LASEMA boss said that Lagos state environmental agencies had sealed off many collapsed building sites.

    He alleged that the illegal building owners usually engage in construct work at midnight but said “the agencies are now on top of their responsibility’’.

  • LASG orders transport unions, roadside traders to vacate Lagos-Badagry, Oshodi-Abule Egba corridors

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday gave six days ultimatum to all transport unions and roadside traders to relocate and remove their illegal structures on Lagos-Badagry Expressway and Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT corridors.
    Dr Taiwo Salaam, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, made the disclosure at a news conference in Lagos.
    alongside an ad hoc committee from the Ministry of Works, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Taskforce and others.
    Salaam said the clean-up and recovery of Right of Way in the affected corridors would commence on Tuesday.
    “Market men and women, members of road transport unions and other road users are enjoined to desist from needless abuse of the roads, right of way as well as road set-backs.
    “It is disheartening to say that the state of the two roads is that of total lawlessness through the activities of traders who have converted BRT corridors to trading centres.
    “Also, is the illegal activities of oil barons and gangs, especially at Eric Moore where they have are using the corridor as their base.
    “Thus, pursuant to the Executive Order, the public is hereby intimated of the plans of the state government to clean up roads and recover the Rights of Way in these areas.
    “Of equal importance is the environmental regeneration of the entire stretch of the road which has been taken over by shanties, refuse and vegetal nuisances,’’ he said.
    Salaam said the plan to open the BRT corridors on the already completed segments of the roads would expectedly improve public transportation on the corridors.
    He said the plan to upgrade the road would provide a boost for trade and commerce, enhance tourism and generate more jobs for the people.
    “Also, social life of the people will improve while traffic induced crimes will reduce to the barest minimum, if not totally eliminated.
    “Also, stress provoked health challenges will equally scale down, while value of properties along the corridor will attract commensurate value,’’ he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on May 30, signed an Executive Order on zero tolerance to indiscriminate refuse dumping, traffic management and public works.

  • LASG seals 14 firms over tax evasion

    The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has resumed sealing of companies and hospitality firms over unpaid consumption taxes, shutting 14 firms during tax law enforcement on Wednesday.
    The LIRS Director of Legal Services, Mr Seyi Alade, said during the state-wide enforcement that two enforcement teams had been mobilised by the service.
    He noted that LIRS suspended for sometime, shutting of corporate organisations and hospitality firms over unpaid taxes.
    “Now, the service has resumed sealing of firms particularly the hospitality firms; it is committed to continuing the exercise until full compliance to tax payment and remittance are achieved,” Alade said.
    Alade claimed that less than 65 per cent of the corporate organisations operating in the state paid taxes, saying that many of them operated without any tax remittance to the government.
    He called on firms to ensure up-to-date tax payment.
    The Head of Distrain Unit of the LIRS, Mrs Ajibike Oshodi-Sholola, said that the two enforcement teams had sealed 14 hospitality firms, including restaurants, hotels and guest houses.
    Oshodi-Sholola listed the sealed companies to include Piccolomondo Restaurant, Virgin Rose Resorts, Precint Comfort Services, Villa Angelia Hotel, Debonairs Pizza, Allied Management Ltd. and Ocean Suites.
    She said that the others included Sabitex Hotel, LCCI Hall, Extended Stay Hotel, Monarch Gardens Ltd., La Maison Hospitality Ltd. and Villa Toscana Hotel.
    According to her, the tax liabilities of the affected firms covered from 2014 to 2016, saying that they were audited for the two years but had yet to make payment.
    “Before LIRS embarks on sealing, it must send two letters to the management of the affected firm, reminding it of tax liabilities.
    “Both the demand notice and letter of intention to distrain were sent to the management of hospitality firms but they failed to act,” she said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the affected firms made payments regarding their liabilities in the course of the distrain/enforcement and paid additional N250,000 as the cost of the distrain.

  • LASG releases N784m for pension payment

    LASG releases N784m for pension payment

    The Lagos State Government (LASG) has released N784,690 million to offset the Accrued Pension Rights (ACR) of its retirees.
    This is contained in a statement released by Mrs Ajoke Lawal, the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) spokesperson, on Wednesday in Lagos.
    She said the state government released funds every month to ensure the ACR gradually got cleared and said the last release of fund was for June and in respect of 266 retirees.
    The commission further said that the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would always ensure the welfare of the retirees from the state.
    “Sanwo-Olu, is committed to making sure that the payments of ACR continues monthly,” LASPEC said.
    The Director-General of LASPEC, Mrs Folashade Onanuga, in the statement, advised the retirees not to succumb to pressure of choosing either Annuity or Programmed Withdrawal pension payments options, to be used after retirement.
    “We advise the retirees to know the nitty-gritty of Annuity or Programmed Withdrawal benefit options before making their choice.
    “Individual circumstance should be considered before making any choice,’’ she said.
    The LASPEC director-general further urged all the beneficiaries to be extremely cautious and careful when embarking on choice of business after retirement.
    “Do not go into business that you are not knowledgeable about,” she said.

  • Implementation of newly approved Minimum Wage a ‘done deal’ – LASG

    Implementation of newly approved Minimum Wage a ‘done deal’ – LASG

    The Lagos State Government on Monday said the implementation of the newly approved minimum wage in the state civil service is a ‘done-deal’.

    Head of Service, HoS, Hakeem Muri-Okunola said at a news conference in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on the forthcoming celebration of the 2019 Public Service Day, which he said had been moved to August for certain reasons.

    The HoS said the for the delay in implementation was because the new administration was just trying to settle down.

    “The governor is just taking over the reigns of administration in Lagos, in the meantime consolidating on getting all the facts and figures regarding our current financial status.

    “And as soon as all of those are done, it will be a matter of whether we are implementing the minimum wage, our own minimum wage or whether or not there are other incentives that will be added”, assuring that “it will definitely take off in the nearest possible shortest time,” he said.

    According to the HoS, the public service Day which is celebrated annually globally on June 23rd was to recognize the value of service to humanity as well as to appreciate and recognize workers in the public service and to highlight the contributions of public servants to development efforts worldwide.

    Muri-Okunola stated that the theme for this year’s event was ”Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through effective Delivery of Services, Innovative Transformation & Accountable Institutions,” which he said was in line with the state government’s commitment to improving public service delivery to the citizenry.

    He stated apart from mainstreaming corporate planning in its overall governance reform programme and in its approach to ensuring effective service delivery, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had underlined, by pronouncements and actions so far, its determination to ensure that service delivery was optimized and that the high expectations of the people of Lagos State were met on a timely basis.

    Muri-Okunola said this year’s Public Service Day fell on a Sunday and coincided with the period of transition to a new administration, and that it had become imperative to postpone this year’s Public Service Day celebration to the month of August in order to allow for proper preparation for the series of events for the week long celebration.

    The HoS added the programme of events would be announced at a later date, while expressing joy in the Lagos State Public Service for its depth of quality, demonstrated determination and commitment to remain the most vibrant Public Service in Nigeria,

    He urged the workers to roll up their sleeves and gear up for the challenges ahead, as the reward for hard work is more work, saying that there was always room for improvement.

  • Don’t pay JSS 3 exam fees, LASG tells parents

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday cautioned parents not to pay any fee or levy for the Junior Secondary School (JSS3) Basic Education Certificate Examination for students in the state.

    Mrs Adebunmi Adekanye, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, said this on Thursday in Alausa while reacting to alleged extortion from parents whose children would be sitting for the examination.

    Adekanye said the state government had paid the fees of all students sitting for the examination in the state.

    According to her, JSS3 students sitting for the BEC examination in the state should not pay any money to anyone under any guise, as all fees relating to the examination have been fully paid by the state government.

    She warned public officials to desist from extorting money from parents under various guises which included payment for practical examinations.

    She said anyone caught in the act would face the consequences of their action.

    Adekanye said that in furtherance of the free education policy of the state government, all fees for all terminal examinations such as BECE and West Africa Senior School Certificate of Education were fully paid by the government.

    She said the gesture was to ease the burden on parents as well as create equal opportunities for all qualified students to sit for the examinations and prove their mettle, irrespective of the circumstances or financial position of their parents.

    Adekanye urged students and parents to report any government official requesting for money whatsoever to the Tutor-Generals in their education districts or ministry of education, Alausa, for prompt action.

  • BREAKING: LASG begins demolition of 180 houses

    BREAKING: LASG begins demolition of 180 houses

    The Lagos State Building Control Agency, on Friday morning, commenced the demolition of defective buildings within Lagos Island.

    About 180 houses will be demolished in the exercise, according to the General Manager of LASBCA, Mr Lekan Shodeinde.

    He said 20 would be demolished on Friday.

    The agency’s task force began with the demolition of a three-storey building on 60A Freeman Street, Epetedo.

    The demolition is coming on the heels of Wednesday building collapse on Massey Street, Ita Faaji, Lagos Island, which killed many pupils and injured others.

    The agency said the property owners had been served several notices dating back to 2013.

  • Election: No public holiday in Lagos on Friday – LASG

    The Lagos State Government says there no public holiday on Friday, March 8, advising all civil servants to be at their various duty posts.

    The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos.

    Bamigbetan decried reports currently circulating on social media platforms suggesting that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode had declared Friday as public holiday to enable residents prepare for the March 9 Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    He restated that all public and private schools in the state were expected to proceed on the 2nd mid-term break on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 March, as earlier announced by the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule.

    According to him, all public and private schools will resume academic activities on Monday, March 11, in accordance with the revised school calendar for the 2018/2019 academic year.

  • Plea bargain firmly entrenched in our criminal justice system – LASG

    The Lagos State Government says plea bargain has been entrenched in its criminal justice system, saying it curtails undue delay in the dispensation of criminal justice.

    Calling for its adoption as a procedure in criminal proceedings, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, gave the assurance on Monday while declaring open a special training for magistrates on plea bargain.

    The programme was organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Programme (RoLAC) funded by the European Union and managed by the British Council.

    Plea bargain is a negotiated agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant whereby the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offence or to one of multiple charges in exchange for some concession by the prosecutor, usually, a more lenient sentence, or a dismissal of the other charges.

    According to Oke, the concept of plea bargain is gradually gaining ground in Nigeria and has become very famous in the legal and socio-political lexicon.

    “In Lagos State, the Administration of Criminal Justice Law has lent its hands in a push toward the adoption of the concept of plea-bargain as an accepted procedure in criminal proceedings.

    “Arguably, since its incorporation as a feature of our criminal justice administration, it has proven to be a useful tool in aiding criminal justice administration and has also curtailed undue delays in the dispensation of criminal justice,’’ Oke said.

    According to the chief judge, plea bargain saves judicial time and resources, reduces trauma on the victim, helps in prison decongestion and case management as well as reduces the number of awaiting trial inmates.

    “A considerable number of high profile cases prosecuted by anti-graft agencies has been concluded using the plea bargain tool which, to my minds, is a form of criminal justice package on its own.

    “It is here to stay and it gladdens my heart that we are here to partake of the wealth of knowledge and experience from our distinguished faculty,” she said.

    Oke said that the importance of regular training for magistrates could not be over-emphasised, as it would keep adding to their knowledge.

    She commended ROLAC for partnering with the Lagos State Judiciary to train magistrates, saying that such an effort was impacting positively on justice administration in the state.

    “I am sure my magistrates will benefit immensely from this programme. We look forward to a rich, rewarding and highly educative training programme.

    “I will, therefore, encourage you to make the best use of this programme,” she said.

    Earlier, RoLAC’s Programme Officer, Mrs Ajibola Ajimakiwa, said that the training was done to enhance good governance in Nigeria by contributing to the strengthening of the rule of law and curbing corruption.

    Ajimakiwa said that the training would support the Nigerian government’s commitment in fighting corruption and reforming the criminal justice system.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day training has 50 magistrates, two solicitors two prosecutors and two officials of the Office of the Public Defender in attendance.

  • Impeachment: Ambode bows to pressure, to present LASG budget before assembly today

    Impeachment: Ambode bows to pressure, to present LASG budget before assembly today

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will present the 2019 budget of Lagos State to the House of Assembly on Tuesday.

    Recall that the legislature had last week threatened to impeach the governor for sending the budget to it instead of appearing in person to present and defend as done in previous years.

    The assembly also accuse the governor of gross misconduct, including spending before budget approval.

    However, to salvage the situation, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu brokered peace and assured Lagosians that the governor won’t be impeached. While speaking after a meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC), in Lagos on Sunday, Tinubu had said: “We examined the grievances on both sides. As leaders, we also looked into areas where there has to be a compromise.

    “In order to build institutions and encourage consensus-building, we have to do what is right.

    “There is no impeachment. Let there be more communication and consensus-building and understanding. All these are inbuilt in the democratic system.”